Kelly Walsh boys, girls soccer rise to the challenge against Star Valley

CASPER, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - After a long layoff due to spring break, the Kelly Walsh boys and girls soccer teams returned to the pitch on Friday. The Trojans hosted Star Valley and came away with victories.

In the boys game, Kelly Walsh found no trouble getting scoring opportunities, but they did run into walls when it came to cashing in those opportunities. After remaining scoreless in the first half, Jackson Catchpole, a senior, found the back of the net to put the green and white up 1-0.

That lead would hold up in large part due to the heroic efforts of goalkeeper Caden Allaire and midfielder Hayden Hollinger on a Star Valley penalty kick.

Allaire was able to stop the initial shot on goal, and Hollinger swooped in in the final moment to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line and preserve Kelly Walsh’s one goal advantage.

“It’s one of the most fun things,” said Allaire after the game about the challenge of penalty kicks. “Then, just turning around and seeing my teammate like sell out for that goal line clearance. We wouldn’t be talking about the save if Hayden hadn’t gotten back and saved it, so that was awesome to see.”

The Trojans would hold on for a 1-0 victory to stay perfect on the year.

In the girls game, Peyton Hill came to play, and she made Star Valley very familiar with her very early on. Before seven minutes had even winded off the clock in the first half, Hill had already staked Kelly Walsh with a 2-0 lead.

That would be more than enough scoring, but Hill’s teammates weren’t afraid to add to the scoreboard. Hannah Holmberg and Amberlyn Hill also added goals in the first half to push the lead to 4-0.

Kelly Walsh’s girls would dominate the Star Valley girls by a final of 7-0.

Both Trojan squads will wake up early on Saturday to host Jackson. The boys game starts at 9 a.m. with the girls game to follow.

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