Valkyries win two to end season, Vikings fight through to the end

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

The Bigfork Vals ended their soccer season on a high note, winning their two final games.

Bigfork beat Polson 2-1 Oct. 2 and topped the Libby Lady Loggers 2-0 Saturday in Libby.

McKenzie Reeve scored the Vals's goal in the first half against Polson on a corner kick from Caitlin Charlebois. Polson looked to tie the game a little while later on a shot by Abby Ruhman, but the Pirates were called for offsides and Ruhman's goal did not count.

The Pirates continued to attack the Bigfork goal, making Bigfork goalkeeper Charlene Miller and the Vals' defense hustle to keep the ball out of the net. Polson tied the game at 1-1 right before the first half ended, and despite the Vals' best efforts the score remained 1-1 at halftime. Bigfork ended the half with another corner kick. This time Reeve took it and Nikki Hagler's shots was just high and wide of the goal.

Reeve and Quinci Paine led the Vals' attack in the second half. Another shot from Reeve hit the crossbar, while Paine used some quick moves and determination to take the ball away from a Pirate and head toward the goal.

While the Vals continued their offensive ventures Polson did the same. Miller fended off shots from Tasha Conrad early in the second half.

Bigfork continued to string passes together in the second half. One of those led to another goal. The ball was deflected off of Andi Sorenson and went into the Polson net.

Jami Podobnik and the rest of the Bigfork defense kept the Pirates from scoring again with aggressive play and tremendous hustle.

Logun Koch took a penalty shot, but it missed the goal. The Vals held onto their one-goal lead for the 2-1 win.

The Vals' didn't let down, and days later moved their mark to 2-6 in the Northern A conference and 4-10 overall with a 2-0 win over Libby.

"They finally gelled as a team. The freshmen started working together with upperclassmen. We were more aggressive," Bigfork coach Steve Koch said of the Vals' improved play and two wins.

The first goal came in the 39th minute on an own goal. Halfway through the second half, Reeve scored for the Vals to make the score 2-0. Bigfork took four shots on goal, to Libby's 12. Bigfork keeper Miller stopped all 12 of Libby's shots on goal. Audra Poppen had four saves for the Loggers.

Bigfork's JV squad finished the season 2-0.

Bigfork 1 1 — 2

Libby 0 0 — 0

BIGFORK — own goal, 39:00; McKenzie Reede, 61:00

Shots on goal — Bigfork 4, Libby 12

Corner kicks — Bigfork 1, Libby 2

Goalie saves — Bigfork 12 (Charlene Miller), Libby 4 (Audra Poppen)

Fouls — Bigfork 4, Libby 6

Cards — None

The Bigfork boys' soccer team fell just short of wins in its last two matches of the season, as the Vikes tied the Polson Pirates 2-2 and were topped by the Libby Loggers 3-1.

"They played hard, fought hard and came up short," Bigfork coach Keith Koslosky said.

Bigfork opened the Polson game Oct. 2 with two goals in the first half, while keeping the Pirates scoreless.

Roland Benedict scored three minutes in with an unassisted goal. Nine minutes later, Alec MacCallum assisted Lael Richmond. The Vikes' previous shot on goal was just shy of going in and rolled away from the Pirate keeper enough that MacCallum could pass it to Richmond from the right side. Richmond basically walked right in and scored with a short kick on the left side of the net.

Though the Vikes did not score for the rest of the game, their offense did not quit. Bigfork took 16 shots on goal, forcing the Pirates' keeper, Jacob Browne, to make two saves. Levi Dockstader had five saves for the Vikes.

With nearly half the second half gone, the Pirates notched their first goal. Steven Roberts scored on an assist from Keio Salmonson in the 56th minute. Salmonson tied the game at 2-2 in the 75th minute on a direct kick.

Both teams were itching for the win, as the play became more aggressive in hunt for the win. Neither team was able to score in the last five minutes though.

The Bigfork defense kept the Loggers at bay Saturday in Libby after Jay Rosencrantz scored in the seventh minute for the Loggers. He was assisted by Cyrus Maloney. Libby was held without another goal in the first half, while Benedict scored the Vikes' lone goal nine minutes before the half. Koslosky said Richmond made nice passes all game long and aided in Benedict's goal.

Libby, who out-shot the Vikes 11-6, came out aggressive in the second half, scoring in the 48th minute. Riley Hoyer scored that goal for the Loggers, and added another goal 29 minutes later. He was assisted by Nick Reny.

Dockstader tallied eight saves for Bigfork, as it ended its season 2-5-1 in the Northern A conference and 3-7-1 overall.

Polson 0 2 — 2

Bigfork 2 0 — 2

First Half

B — Roland Benedict, 3:00.

B — Lael Richmond (Alec McCallum), 12:00

Second Half

P — Steven Roberts (Keio Salmonson), 56:00.

P — Salmonson, 75:00.

Shots — Pol. 10, Bf. 16. Corner kicks — Pol. 4, Bf. 6. Saves — Pol. 2 (Jacob Browne 2), Bf. 5 (Levi Dockstader 5). Fouls — Pol. 15, Bf. 11. Red cards — none.

Bigfork 1 0 — 1

Libby 1 2 — 3

BIGFORK — Roland Benedict, 31:00

LIBBY — Jay Rosencrantz (Cyrus Maloney), 7:00; Riley Hoyer, 48:00; Hoyer (Nick Reny), 77:00

Shots on goal — BF 6, Lib. 11

Corner kicks — BF 1, Lib. 4

Goalie saves — BF 8 (Levi Dockstader), Lib. 7 (Tad Downey)

Fouls — NA

Cards — BF 0, Lib. 3 (yellow)