Seniors Jonathan Hall and Tanner Smith scored second-half goals as the Wolverines beat the Service Cougars 2-1 in Cook Inlet Conference play at The Dome.
Smith scored the match-winning goal off a corner kick midway through the second half, a goal he said was a bit lucky.
"I tried for the header and missed, then the ball popped up in front of me and I kicked it into the side netting," said Smith.
Hall scored the equalizer early in the second half during one of the Wolverines (2-0-1) few scoring opportunities.
Hall was in the middle of a crowd in front of the goal and the ball came his way through the air. He knocked a header into the right corner of the goal, exactly where he had planned.
"I headed it and it went where I wanted. The play seemed to happen really slowly," said Hall.
The speedy feet of Codi Woodcock provided Service (0-1-2) with its lone goal of the match, early in the first half. It was the first goal the Cougars have scored this season.
Woodcock, noticeably quicker than most players on the field, received a nice ball from Matthew Weinstein up the left side, then raced past defenders and crossed the ball into the right side of the net.
"I didn't have much of an angle, but it slipped right through (South goalie Alex Toomey's) legs," said Woodcock.
The match was physical from the beginning with players hitting the turf and running into each other often.
Four yellow cards were issued, but there were no hard feelings about any of them.
"They were more physical plays than brute fouls," said Woodcock.
Service goalie Andrew Hayes got popped in the mouth during one collision around the 30-minute mark. He was hit hard enough that he lay sprawled on the turf for several minutes and sat out the remainder of the first half.
Hayes said he went out for a low ball and a knee caught him in the mouth.
"It was a fair play," said Hayes, who is also playing with a dislocated finger he is nursing from a previous game.
Hayes has two shutouts to his credit and he speaks with confidence when speaking of the Cougars' play this season.
"I have no doubt we are gonna win the state championship this year," said Hayes. "South is a great team and they always play us tough. It was an unlucky game today."
If Hayes' prediction is to come true, there is a good chance they will have to go through South to accomplish their goals.
South has won three of the last four state championships, including the 2009 title.
Team co-captains Smith and Hall both felt the Wolverines played a pretty good match, but need to work on their defensive play.
The bright spot on South's defense was Toomey, who made some great saves at key times in the match, including a toe save late in the second half that had players and coaches jumping out of their seats.
Service senior Dane Goodman found himself 10 yards from the goal, with just Toomey to beat. He fired a rocket to Toomey's right side, but Toomey stretched his right foot out and stabbed the ball with his toes, stopping a sure goal that would have tied the match.
Service coach Dan Rufner was pleased with the Cougars' play and though they lost, he felt they were not beaten. Coming off two scoreless ties to start the season, he was happy to see some goals.
"It was a fun game to watch, at least, finally," said Rufner.
Find Jeremy Peters online at adn.com/contact/jpeters or call 257-4335.
BOYS SOCCER
Colony 3, Wasilla 0
Dylan Crawford and James Meaney each furnished one goal and one assist Tuesday to lead Colony to a 3-0 victory over Wasilla at The Dome.
Jesse Rouse scored the other goal for the Warriors (3-0-0). Jessie Krey earned the shutout.
GIRLS SOCCER
Chugiak 2, East 1
Susan Fleurant and Carolyn Withee each scored off corner kicks for Chugiak in a 2-1 win over East at The Dome.
South 2, West 0
Andrea Velez opened the scoring off a corner from Colleen Carpenter and Carpenter tacked on a second goal off a free kick from 25 yards to lead South to a 2-0 win over West at The Dome.
Goalkeeper Sarah Johnson earned the shutout.
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