The West Valley girls soccer team continued to have success against non-Fairbanks teams upon returning home, defeating Wasilla 3-1 on Friday night.
With the win, West Valley's third straight, the Wolfpack improved to 5-1-1 on the season heading into next week's Interior Tournament.
The Wolfpack had a first shot on goal, but with about 10 minutes to go, Wasilla was in more danger, but West Valley's defense kept the game scoreless. And it was West Valley that broke through first, as Laura Seitz scored from the edge of the penalty box off an assist from fellow sophomore Mary Stordahl.
Moments later, the Wolfpack's goalie thwarted the goal by knocking the ball over the crossbar. Senior forward Hannah Willis, who has signed with Belmont Abbey College, then scored a long-range goal from the front, helping extend the lead to 2-0. Willis evaded a defender and almost added another point a minute later, but the ball was sent a little high.
“It's always tough when you're up by one point,” West Valley co-head coach Shannon Steiger said after the game. “Getting the second goal allowed the girls to play a little less stressed and a little more relaxed. I was able to do it,” he said. “And if that's the scenario, they always perform a little bit better. A big second goal is a sure thing.”
Willis scored again off a rebound to push the lead to 3-0 midway through the second half, and a Wasilla goal in the final minutes made the final score look a little more respectable. West Valley has now beaten Wasilla twice by the same score since defeating the Warriors 2-0 at Massou Valley in April.
“number 3 [goal] “We were able to rest a lot of guys on the bench tomorrow and that was one of our goals heading into the game,” Steiger said. “…From today to tomorrow, I would like to see them connect a little more passes and play together a little more.”
Wasilla, which shut out North Pole on Thursday, is now 5-4-1 overall. West Valley plays Colony on Saturday at noon.
