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State champs look to repeat

by John Van Vleet
| August 24, 2005 11:00 PM

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls High School girls soccer team begins this season as the defending Western Montana Class A State Champions, a title the girls will not relinquish easily.

Last year, led by top scorer Lisa Carter, the girls finished 10-2, 6-0 in the conference. Carter, who tallied 27 goals and 18 assists last year, returns for her senior year to help bring another championship to the school.

Head coach Greg Trenerry said that the team's outlook is positive and that the goal is to repeat as champions.

"I asked the girls (what their goal was)," he said. "They set a goal of trying to repeat."

Not only do the girls plan on repeating, they also look to go undefeated throughout the season.

"That's the goal they set," he said.

Relying on team speed and depth will be key to the team's success. Trenerry said that the team has a lot of fresh, and quick, legs that could help carry them to the top once more.

"We have speed," he said. "We have good depth and we're very fast up front."

Trenerry said that although he hopes to see Carter repeat as a top scorer, he also knows that she is a target for other teams at this point but that he is not concerned because of players such as junior Ashley Horine.

"Lisa knows she's going to be marked," he said. "We have other options … Lisa knows she's nothing without her team."

Despite losing five seniors, Trenerry said the team should come together well.

"We're going to be competitive," he said. "They're a good team so far."

Runner-ups hope to take home

a championship of their own

By JOHN VAN VLEET

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls High School boys soccer team finished last season as the state runner up, losing in the championship game to Hamilton in overtime.

This year, they want to make amends.

Led by the return of top scorer Cory Pete, the team looks to build upon last season's regular season success and translate it into another post-season triumph.

Head coach Peter Browne said that with seven returning seniors having won a state championship in their careers, the team is hungry for another shot at the title.

"We've got seven returning seniors that have been part of the program since their freshman year," he said. "We want to get back (into the championship game.)"

Browne said that heading into the season with such a talented and experienced group means that having a championship in mind isn't that unrealistic of a goal.

"They want to get the title back," he said. "We're just going to go game by game."

Calling Pete the team's go-to scorer, Browne said that the team will not have trouble getting goals and that the team will rely on senior goalkeeper Lee Kizer to continue his stellar play in the net.

"We have great goalkeeping," he said. "Lee Kizer's probably one of the best goalkeepers in the state."

Browne said the team is focused on reclaiming a championship, saying that it would be a great way for the seniors to finish their high school soccer experiences.

"A good way to end these guys' careers would be to play in that last game of the season," he said. "It's been a pleasure to coach them for four years."

Golf teams aim to swing into state

By JOHN VAN VLEET

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls High School golf teams are facing forward this season, with lofty goals and smooth backswings.

Head coach Gene Marcille said that the boys team is entertaining thoughts of making an impact on the state level.

"On the boys side of the slate is to qualify for the state tournament," he said. "Our goal going into this season is to get our boys team to qualify."

Marcille pointed to returning senior Andrew Sweeney as a leader on the team and someone that might make a splash on the courses this fall.

"Coming back this year, we have some high expectations for senior Andrew Sweeney," he said.

Marcille also mentioned Bobby Pearce as a contributor, as he was frequently the top scorer for the team last year.

On the girls side, Marcille said that senior Sydney Jordt is primed for a breakout season.

"She showed real, definite improvement as the year went on," he said. "She's in for a good season. After that, we're pretty young, but we have some kids with experience."

Marcille said he expects the team to play well in most matches, if for no other reason than their home course, Meadow Lake, is one of the more challenging courses in the area.

"The other strength really for our team, and this proves true almost every year, is Meadow Lake is a really challenging golf course," he said. "If our kids can get their game going out here, we usually have a decided advantage when we go to other courses."