Valkyries lose focus against Columbia Falls

Coming off of a 2-1 victory over Polson on Thursday, the Bigfork Valkyries lost focus and fell 4-0 to Columbia Falls on Saturday.

It was a disappointing loss for the Vals who had some big wins early in the season.

The first half of the match was a struggle for Bigfork, and Columbia Falls dominated the game scoring three goals.

“I feel like at the beginning we weren’t quite focused,” senior Grace Rehbein said.

The Vals came back after the half and played a stronger game, though Columbia Falls found the back of the net again.

“We just came together a little bit more and focused our energy toward the goal,” Rehbein said.

“If we would have played with that intensity the first half it would have been a different game,” head coach Mike Marchetti said.

Thursday’s match in Polson was a different story. The two teams battled it out in the first half with no goals.

At the 48th minute half Katie Thomas assisted Haile Norred in finding the goal. Polson responded at the 56th minute with a goal from Sarah Howell.

The teams were tied going into the last three minutes of the game when Polson’s Amber Clarke received a red card for a hand ball.  Thomas took the penalty kick and scored for Bigfork.

The Valkyries played in Whitefish on Tuesday, and won’t play again until next Sept 30 when they host Libby at 3:30 p.m.

Columbia Falls 4, Bigfork 0

Columbia Falls 3 1 — 4

Bigfork 0 0 — 0

Columbia Falls — Katie Price (Ellie Johnson), 11:00; Lyndsey Strouse (Price), 30:00; Strouse, 38:00; Hannah Gedlaman (Tabia Bechtel), 53:00.

Shots on goal — Columbia Falls 12, Bigfork 9; Goalie saves — Columbia Falls 9 (Allison Gimbel), Bigfork 8 (Ally Pancoast 6, Celeste Rehbein 2); Corner kicks — Columbia Falls 2, Bigfork 2; Fouls — Columbia Falls 7, Bigfork 4; Cards — None.

Bigfork 2, Polson 1

Bigfork 0 2 - 2

Polson 0 1 -1

Bigfork — Haile Norred (Katie Thomas), 48:00; Katie Thomas, (penalty kick), 77:00

Polson— Sarah Howell (Keely Clairmont), 56:00

Shots on goal— Bigfork 11, Polson 18. Saves—Bigfork 8 (Celeste Rehbein), Polson 11 (Jenna Evertz). Corner kicks—Bigfork 5, Polson 6. Total fouls—Bigfork 2, Polson 4. Cards—Polson: Red, Amber Clarke (hand ball)