JDHS Crimson Bears boys outshine Soldotna Stars in 3-0 home win
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2025 5:17 am
Two goalkeepers highlighted the Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé Crimson Bears 3-0 win Thursday over the visiting Soldotna Stars at the Adair Kennedy Memorial Park pitch, one for the victors and one for the vanquished.
JDHS freshman Callan Walker was given his first varsity start and performed like a senior, earning a clean slate, numerous saves and a couple hard knocks.
“I feel very excited about that,” Walker said. “I’m sure there are many more to come, but I am really thankful for my defense for having my back in everything and it is just very great to have them there.”
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman keeper Callen Walker tips a Soldotna shot over the crossbar during the Crimson Bears’ 3-0 win over the Stars on Thursday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman keeper Callen Walker tips a Soldotna shot over the crossbar during the Crimson Bears’ 3-0 win over the Stars on Thursday at Adair Kennedy country wise email marketing list Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The first attacking cross by Soldotna was tipped by Walker over the goal and set the tone for his performance in the box.
“Eric (Thompson) is a very good goalie too,” Walker said. “I’ve just been watching him and seeing how he plays, and then I am trying to copy him pretty much. But that first save over the crossbar that was unexpected really, I just tried to get my hand on it. It gave me a lot of confidence going throughout the rest of the game.”
JDHS coach Gary Lehnhart noted it had been many years since a freshman had played so well, if ever, in the goal but the opportunity arose as the entire team stepped up in the face of adversity.
“After our week, losing our two centerbacks Noah (Ault) and Jesper (Bennetsen) probably for the season on top of the injuries we already had, we were down,” JDHS coach Gary Lehnhart said. “We needed an upbeat performance so I was a little surprised with how well we came out and played. And the guys that we needed to do it, did it. They really led. We played quick and we were dangerous. If it wasn’t for their goalkeeper it would have been different…I’ve coached a lot of games in my life and I don’t think there has been a game where I thought the ball was in the net more times and then went ‘opps, nope’ and he made it look so easy, their goalkeeper made it look so easy, he had a phenomenal game. He was something…and that was a good performance for us, obviously Elliott (Welch) played well, but Eric (Thompson) came out of the net and made the transition to be solid as a centerback. We have to find that because we need Ahmir (Parker) up top and we have to find two guys, and we may have found them today.”
JDHS freshman Callan Walker was given his first varsity start and performed like a senior, earning a clean slate, numerous saves and a couple hard knocks.
“I feel very excited about that,” Walker said. “I’m sure there are many more to come, but I am really thankful for my defense for having my back in everything and it is just very great to have them there.”
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman keeper Callen Walker tips a Soldotna shot over the crossbar during the Crimson Bears’ 3-0 win over the Stars on Thursday at Adair Kennedy Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshman keeper Callen Walker tips a Soldotna shot over the crossbar during the Crimson Bears’ 3-0 win over the Stars on Thursday at Adair Kennedy country wise email marketing list Memorial Park. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
The first attacking cross by Soldotna was tipped by Walker over the goal and set the tone for his performance in the box.
“Eric (Thompson) is a very good goalie too,” Walker said. “I’ve just been watching him and seeing how he plays, and then I am trying to copy him pretty much. But that first save over the crossbar that was unexpected really, I just tried to get my hand on it. It gave me a lot of confidence going throughout the rest of the game.”
JDHS coach Gary Lehnhart noted it had been many years since a freshman had played so well, if ever, in the goal but the opportunity arose as the entire team stepped up in the face of adversity.
“After our week, losing our two centerbacks Noah (Ault) and Jesper (Bennetsen) probably for the season on top of the injuries we already had, we were down,” JDHS coach Gary Lehnhart said. “We needed an upbeat performance so I was a little surprised with how well we came out and played. And the guys that we needed to do it, did it. They really led. We played quick and we were dangerous. If it wasn’t for their goalkeeper it would have been different…I’ve coached a lot of games in my life and I don’t think there has been a game where I thought the ball was in the net more times and then went ‘opps, nope’ and he made it look so easy, their goalkeeper made it look so easy, he had a phenomenal game. He was something…and that was a good performance for us, obviously Elliott (Welch) played well, but Eric (Thompson) came out of the net and made the transition to be solid as a centerback. We have to find that because we need Ahmir (Parker) up top and we have to find two guys, and we may have found them today.”