Glacier girls rally late, nip Flathead
By JOSEPH TERRY
The Daily Inter Lake
A late scoring flurry led the Glacier girls past Flathead and possibly into the state tournament as the Wolfpack won a 3-2 Western AA soccer match on Thursday at Legends Stadium.
The Bravettes led most of the match thanks to a pair of goals from junior Sheyenn Thompson. Thompson netted the opener in the 12th minute and answered Glacier’s first goal with a strike in the 54th.
Glacier continued to take its shots, and with only 13 minutes to play earned a penalty kick when Flathead was called for a handball in its own box. Wolfpack senior Cadie Williams netted her second goal of the game on the ensuing penalty kick, and less than a minute later, in the wake of the celebration of the equalizer, freshman Taylor Brisendine gave Glacier the lead on a crossing shot to the right post.
“Halftime was a little nervous, but the girls did well,” Glacier coach Brenden Byrd said.
“The girls just kept fighting back and never put their heads down and gave up.”
Flathead attempted to net an equalizer in the final 10 minutes but couldn’t get a clean shot on goal, losing its fith game by one goal this season.
“Very unlucky call on that handball,” Bravettes coach Jenni Sipe said.
“Our player was falling down and as she fell down her hand hit the ball.
“Very proud of how we played tonight. I thought the defense was outstanding. Aaris (Hill) had some phenomenal saves. It was her best game all season. Our team has so much momentum going right now.”
Glacier’s win gives the Wolfpack (8-3-1) a two-point cushion on Helena Capital (7-2-2) for second place in the Western conference. Glacier would claim a bye into the state tournament if the Bruins tie or lose to Missoula Hellgate (3-7-1) on Saturday.
If Capital wins, Glacier would play Flathead (0-10-1) in a state play-in game for the fifth time in series history. Flathead has won three of the previous four playoff games with the Wolfpack and leads the overall series 14-8-4.
“It was a high emotion match and kind of a must win for us in this situation,” Byrd said.
“The girls did outstanding. Our midfield did exactly what they needed to, defense played outstanding, offense came through for us again. We knew Flathead wasn’t going to give us anything. It was an outstanding match for both teams.”
Glacier 0 3 — 3
Flathead 1 1 — 2
F — Shayenn Thompson (Skyleigh Thompson), 12:00
G — Cadie Williams, 49:00
F — Shayenn Thompson, 54:00
G — Williams (penalty kick), 68:00
G — Taylor Brisendine, 69:00
Shots on Goal — G 15, F 5. Keeper Saves — G 3, F 11. Corner kicks — G 2, F 2. Fouls — G 3, F 5. Cards — none.