Cats win one, lose one on the road

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team split the bill last week, losing to Billings Central on Sept. 7 in the season opener, 4-0, but coming back Saturday to beat Laurel 1-0.

The Cats actually played pretty well against Billings Central, which is sure to be one of the best Class A teams in the state, but the Cats had some lapses on defense that hurt them. Against Laurel, Caleb Baumann broke a 0-0 tie with a penalty kick in the 55th minute.

“As a whole, not bad,” coach Peter Browne said. “They’re working hard. I think we’ll be a pretty decent team.”

The Wildcats had 27 shots on Laurel, compared to just six against Billings Central. The team will travel to Polson on Thursday and then face Libby at home Saturday. Game time for Libby is 1 p.m.

Billings Central 2 2 - 4

Columbia Falls 0 0 - 0

BILLINGS CENTRAL - Connor Sheehy, 9:00; Brandon Peterson, 30:00; Sheehy, 50:00; Kyle Labor, 67:00.

Shots on goal - Billings Central 19, Columbia Falls 6; Corner kicks - Billings Central 1, Columbia Falls 0; Goalie saves - Billings Central 6 (Joey Thompson), Columbia Falls 16 (Mason Gedlaman); Fouls - Billings Central 3, Columbia Falls 4; Cards - None.

Columbia Falls 1, Laurel 0

Columbia Falls 0 1

Laurel 00

Laurel -- did not score. Shots: 10. Goal keeper: Zac Allen, 23 saves.

Columbia Falls - Caleb Baumann (penalty kick), 55:00. Shots: 27. Goal keeper: Mason Gedlaman, 8 saves.