Boys settle for second in overtime loss to Hamilton
Hungry Horse News
Oh, the agony!
The Wildcat soccer team's bid for back-to-back state championships fell about eight minutes short last Saturday as the team lost to the Hamilton Broncs, 2-1, in the second period of overtime.
Hamilton came out hard early, controlling much of the tempo in the first half. Although the Broncs spent most of the time in Cat territory, they were unable to score until forward Cole Pasichnyk had a breakaway to put the ball in the back of the net with one minute left in the half.
Pasichnyk's goal was a nice one, but Cat keeper Lee Kizer stopped an earlier one-on-one that would have been a goal against any other keeper in the conference. Kizer had 11 saves on the day.
"Lee had a tremendous season. He was selected to the All-State team. His work ethic and intensity have been tremendous," said head coach Peter Browne.
The second half was more even-handed, with the Cats having some opportunities, but unable to capitalize. A free kick by Devon Hagen across the mouth of the Bronc's goal was perfect-except nobody was there.
A great corner kick by Friedrich Von Schweinitz and an ensuing header by Felipe Buzignani also fell short.
Things just weren't going the Cats' way, but they held Hamilton for the entire second half.
With time running out, Von Schweinitz dribbled down the left side and-in one of the most unselfish assists all season- flipped a short pass to Cory Pete, who put a dribbler in the right side of the net with two minutes left in regulation.
Pete's goal sent the game into overtime and gave Cats fans their best hope for a first-ever dual boys-girls soccer title.
In overtime, teams play two 10-minute periods, regardless of whether one team scores in the first one.
Overtime would seem to favor the Cats, who won in OT last year, scoring twice against Whitefish to take the championship, but again Hamilton came out ready to play.
There was no score in the first OT period, but the Cats had trouble controlling the ball and the tempo.
Heartbreak came early in the second OT period, when Pasichnyk again had a breakaway and put the ball in the back of the net two minutes after play resumed.
If there was any consolation for the Wildcats, it was that both his goals were just good, solid goals.
"Those two goals that got by Lee (Kizer) were quality goals. Lee had a solid game, as well as Devon Hagen," Browne said.
Eight minutes later, as the final whistle sounded, Cat players fell to the ground and pounded their fists in frustration at what could have been.
"We had a really good week in practice, but Hamilton came out and played with intensity. We never really played with any sense of urgency, although we did at times," Browne said. "It wasn't our best effort, but the kids had a great year-I'm proud of them."
The Cats will lose Von Schweinitz, Buzignani, Hagen, Ryan DuBay and Julian Almanza next year, but will have defensive stand-out Bobby Opp, keeper Lee Kizer, and Pete, the team's leading scorer, returning.
"We have to prepare for next year, and move on. We have a lot of good returning players," Browne said.
Hamilton 2, Columbia Falls 1
Hamilton 1 0 1 - 2
Columbia Falls 0 1 0 - 1
Hamilton - Cole Pasichnyk, 39:00; Pasichnyk 92:00.
Columbia Falls - Cory Pete (Friedrich Von Schweinitz), 78:00.
Fouls - Hamilton 9, Columbia Falls 5; Cards - None; Shots on goal - Hamilton 20, Columbia Falls 22; Corner kicks - Hamilton 4, Columbia Falls 5; Goalie saves - Hamilton 8 (Devin Splatt), Columbia Falls 11 (Lee Kizer).