Kats end Rams' winning streak

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team stopped Billings Central’s 45-game winning streak Sept. 12 by tying the Lady Rams 0-0 at home.

The Wildkats had their chances with five shots on goal, including a melee on a corner kick in the second half that looked sure to go in. But Ram keeper Natalie Ruessegger somehow turned the ball away to preserve the tie.

The Kats played their best defense of the year against Billings Central, which has excellent ball skills.

Columbia Falls was a bit flat on defense the next day, and visiting Laurel took advantage, winning 3-2. The Kats had the early lead after Ellie Johnson put in a shot five minutes into the match. Laurel tied it up, and Johnson put the Kats up again in the second with a sweet header to make it 2-1.

But Laurel responded again to tie it up 68 minutes into the match. Seven minutes later, they went up for good.

Johnson had another scoring opportunity on a breakaway shot toward the end, but she went down hard and the attempt missed. Coach Greg Trenerry thought Johnson was fouled, but they didn’t get the call.

“No gas in the tank,” Trenerry said of his defense after the Laurel game. “They played a tough game yesterday.”

The Kats start their conference schedule this week with a match against Libby at home Thursday at 4 p.m. and an away match against Bigfork on Saturday at noon. The girls are now 1-1-2 overall.

Billings Central 0 0 — 0

Columbia Falls 0 0 — 0

Shots — Billings Central 7, Columbia Falls 5; Saves — Billings Central 5 (Natalie Ruessegger), Columbia Falls 4 (Allison Gimbel); Corner kicks — Billings Central 8, Columbia Falls 4; Fouls — Billings Central 13, Columbia Falls 3; Cards — None.

Laurel 1 2 — 3

Columbia Falls 1 1 — 2

LAUREL — Raquel Jimenez (Taylor Ludwig), 24:00; Jimenez (Mackenzie LaCasse), 68:00; Jessica Elmer (Ludwig), 75:00

COLUMBIA FALLS — Ellie Johnson (Natasha Martin), 5:00; Johnson (Tavia Bechtel), 55:00

Shots on goal — Laurel 16, Columbia Falls 12; Goalie saves — Laurel 8 (Rylee Schultz), Columbia Falls 7 (Alyson Gimbel); Corner kicks — Laurel 2, Columbia Falls 3; Fouls — Laurel 4, Columbia Falls 10; Cards — Laurel, 1 yellow.