Crimson Bears soccer girls fall to Wolverines

Klas Stolpe
2 hours ago
4 min read

Lessons learned for state tournament with strong showing in Saturday's loss

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior keeper Tearamae Alexander (1) is fouled in the box by South Anchorage senior Addison Bailey (9) during the Crimson Bears' 4-0 loss to the Wolverines at the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park pitch on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

By Klas Stolpe

Juneau Independent

No one player earned the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears girls soccer team’s Hard Hat award in a 4-0 loss to South Anchorage on Saturday at the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park pitch.

“The whole team got the hard hat,” came a voice from a circle of Crimson Bears in a post-game huddle. “Because everyone played hard. We all played hard. It means we learned how to work together as a team and we are excited for state. We all got playing time, we all gave 110 percent…”

The huddle broke with a shout of, “Together!”

For the second match in as many days against South Anchorage the Crimson Bears were shut out, this time 4-0. They fell 5-0 on Friday.

Even one goal less is impressive as South rules the soccer world this season, and is the top seed heading into the state tournament May 28-30 at Colony, Palmer and Wasilla high schools.

“Our girls play on the same club team,” South coach Scott Hickox said. “Some of them have played together for 10 years. A lot of our play is early emphasis on technical work and learning how to read the game on both sides of the ball, being patient and smart. And now, when they come into this environment, they have been training in three to four age groups in competition. And they are finding the chemistry where they are happy to play and to play for each other.”

JDHS struggled defending Wolverines on Friday, but on Saturday began to move more in sync as a team.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Peyton Wheeler and South Anchorage junior Shayla Lee (2) collide during the Crimson Bears' 4-0 loss to the Wolverines at the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park pitch on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

“Just the way we worked on our defending,” Peyton Wheeler said. “We found a different way to defend as a team. People were playing different positions and learning how to play different positions against a harder team.”

Wheeler, senior Kenzie Simonson, juniors Kate Bovitz and Riley Schultz, sophomores Nellie Stowers, Marigold Lindoff and Ayla Erickson, and freshman Maddie Dale played 80 minutes each.

“I think we definitely learned how to defend as a team,” Riley Schultz said of the weekend. “Instead of, like, individually defending, we all had to work together. We got all of our subs in and everyone worked hard together. And it also showed the other conference that they are in, the Cook Inlet Conference, that we can compete with them.”

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé junior Clairee Overson (9) challenges South Anchorage junior Shayla Lee (2) for a ball during the Crimson Bears' 4-0 loss to the Wolverines at the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park pitch on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

Wheeler was held to one shot, freshman Maddie Dale one shot and sophomore Ayla Erickson two shots. Senior keeper Tearamae Alexander played 60 minutes and had seven saves and three goals allowed. Senior Raynona Fraker played 20 minutes with five saves and one goal allowed.

South senior Ali Boshell scored two goals, senior co-captain Addison Bailey and senior Brooklyn Shankar one goal apiece. Junior Jesenia Cortes and senior Dara Stull had one assist apiece. South senior keeper Sam Stoehner earned the clean slate.

The Wolverines had 15 corner kicks and were unlucky in 14 of them.

Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé senior Kenzie Simonson (7) challenges South Anchorage junior Jesenia Cortes (8) for a ball during the Crimson Bears' 4-0 loss to the Wolverines at the Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park pitch on Saturday, May 23, 2026. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Independent)

JDHS freshman Hailey Romero played 36 minutes, junior Clairee Overson, sophomore Gracie Snyder and freshman Mia Alexander 20 minutes each, freshmen Amaya Henderson and Maya Mothershead 13, senior Pipler Blackgoat Diehl 11, sophomore Cooper Blackgoat Diehl and freshman Emma Kovach seven each.

“I think it shows our ability to adjust,” Piper Blackgoat Diehl said of the cleaner outing on Saturday. “And really step up to the competition. We are first in our conference, so it really shows that we can come out and perform, to all the people watching and supporting us.”