Semifinal weekend for Class A soccer teams

By DAVID LESNICK

The Daily Inter Lake

For soccer purists, the Columbia Falls versus Billings Central matchup comes a week too early.

The two perennial Class A girls powers will face off today on Wendy’s Field at Rocky Mountain College in Billings for a semifinal contest.

Columbia Falls, under first-year coach O’Brien Byrd, is the top seed from the Northern Division while Billings Central is the top seed from the Eastern.

Billings Central (11-0-2) has won the last two state championships.

Columbia Falls (10-1-1) is looking for its second. The Wildkats won state in 2007.

Billings Central ousted Columbia Falls from playoff action a year ago in the first round, 7-1.

“I’ve been in the semis a lot,” Byrd said as a player and coach.

“A few times when I coached, we were not the best team and we had to make adjustments to win the game. But I’m going into this game fully believing we are the best team. We will play to our strengths.”

And if today’s contest wasn’t big enough, the winner will also host the state championship match next weekend.

In today’s other semifinal outing for girls, Laurel (12-1-1) is at Hamilton (9-0-3) for a noon start.

In semifinal games for boys today, Polson (11-1-1) journeys to Belgrade (12-0-0), noon, while Whitefish (9-3-1) heads south to face Frenchtown (11-1-1) at 1 p.m. The Belgrade/Polson winner hosts the state championship match.

“You know Billings Central is the powerhouse in the east,” Byrd said.

“They haven’t lost in two years. In a poll you would rank us No. 1-2. As a fan, coach, player, it’s tough seeing 1-2 meet in the semifinals. But, you eventually have to meet each other.”

Columbia Falls

at Billings Central

Two of the top scores for all classes will be on the field — Hannah Gedlaman for Columbia Falls and Zoie Althoff for Central.

Gedlaman had 25 goals and six assists during the regular season. In last Saturday’s 6-0 quarterfinal win over Stevensville, she did not have a goal, but assisted on three. Hannah Callender had three goals along with Josie Windauer.

Althoff had three goals and one assist in a 6-0 triumph over Missoula Loyola. She also had 25 for the regular season.

“Our teams match up so well together,” Byrd said. “This will be the most exciting game we’ve seen in the A level in many years.

“Our strengths are comparable,” he continued. “We have the No. 1 scorers in the state in Gedlaman and Althoff. They have let in fewer goals than we have, but we have scored just as many as they have. It should be a classic barnburner.”

Boys

Polson at Belgrade

Polson advanced from last week’s quarterfinal round with an easy 6-0 verdict over Missoula Loyola while Belgrade collected a 4-2 win over Hamilton.

Six different Pirates scored against Loyola.

“We haven’t played (each other) in the last two years,” Polson coach Adam Fansher said. “It’s gonna be a good one, it will be a challenge. That’s why you coach and why you want to be a part of these games.”

Polson is led in scoring by Robin Erickson, a junior forward, with 17 goals and 11 assists; Mack Moderie, a junior forward, with 10 goals and 18 assists; and Michael Vergeront, a senior forward, with 13 goals and two assists.

Polson has won nine straight.

“We go into every match knowing we have to play our best and play the game our way,” Fansher said. “One of our strengths is our ability to keep a hold of the ball and dictate the tempo. We string together our passes real well.”

Polson leads Class A in goals with 69 and has allowed 11. Belgrade has scored 51 and allowed nine.

Senior keeper Russell Smith has eight shutouts for Polson.

“The hard thing for him (Smith) is he’s not tested because we have been so dominant in our games,” Fansher said. “When asked to make a play, he’s right there.”

Polson is looking for its first state title.

Whitefish at Frenchtown

Both teams survived tests in quarterfinal action to advacne.

Whitefish won a penalty kick over Laurel, 4-3, while Frenchtown slipped by Columbia Falls 4-3.

Whitefish and Frenchtown did not play during the regular season. Whitefish coach John Lacey said that will not be a factor.

“At this point, everyone is a good team,” he said. “We’re just looking forward to a good soccer game.”

If there is an advantage to playing someone for the first time, Lacey says “you focus more on your own game than the opponent.”

Whitefish was missing sophomore goalie Colter Upton and senior co-captain and midfielder Avery Hirsch last week because of injuries. Upton is still sidelined, but Hirsch will be in uniform.

“His ankle is better,” Lacey said of Hirsch.

“We think he will be good. It will definitely be good to have him back.

“We fully expected to be playing this weekend,” Lacey added.

“We’re not surprised to be here. We have to play well.

“The guys are confident, we’re excited about the game. We hope to cap off a good season with a couple good wins. I’d love to get another week of soccer with a win on Saturday.”