Viking soccer stifles Stillwater Christian, Vals remain winless

By FAITH MOLDAN - Bigfork Eagle

Sometimes people need to take the good with the bad.

The Bigfork High School boys' soccer team saw both ends of the stick last week after it defeated Stillwater Christian School's varsity and junior varsity teams 5-1 and 6-1 before losing to Columbia Falls 3-1.

Of the three matches, the most important was the conference match Saturday with the Wildcats, who the Vikes beat 2-0 in their home- and season-opener Aug. 25.

According to Bigfork coach Keith Koslosky, the Vikes came out a little slow in the first half as the Cats scored in the fourth, 10th and 16th minutes.

Bigfork's only goal came courtesy of Roland Benedict, who scored it on a free kick in the 47th minute.

"It was wonderful," Koslosky said of Benedict's shot. "It shouldn't have been able to do what he did. He saw that the wall was not properly constructed and put the ball on the low, near corner. It was a wonderfully placed shot with great pace."

Two Bigfork players — David Meyers and Derek Minemeyer — continue to battle illnesses but have persevered and played well along with Matt McGady, Alec MacCallum and Benedict.

"They played through it and played admirably," Koslosky said of the ailing Vikes.

Levi Dockstader recorded four saves for the Vikes, who took a total of three shots on goal.

The loss moved the Vikes' record to 1-2 in conference and 2-4 overall.

The Vikes held Stillwater's varsity and JV teams scoreless in both of the first halves of play.

Bigfork scored its first three goals in the ninth, 19th and 24th minutes. Benedict and Minemeyer had a hand, or foot, in two of the three goals. Minemeyer scored the first with an assist from Benedict. His shot sailed into the top right corner and over the goalkeeper's hands.

Benedict scored Bigfork's second goal. He was assisted by Trey Lehrman, while Minemeyer's second goal was assisted by Taylor Ingram. Ingram also scored a goal, as did Lehrman. They were assisted by MacCallum and Minemeyer, respectively. Lehrman's goal came in the second half of play, during the 54th minute.

The Vikes, who ended the match on top with a score of 5-1, had chances to score on numerous corner kicks in the first half as well, but did not. They also controlled the pace of the game and kept the ball on their offensive half during much of the first half.

Some of the younger Vikes, including Skylar Doak, Fabian Zavala and MacCallum all took shots on the Stillwater goal in the second half, as Bigfork's offense and great communication did not slow down.

Stillwater scored its only goal on a penalty kick just after the start of the second half, and after Bigfork's Bobby Denning received a red card.

Enthusiasm from the varsity game spilled over into the JV match against Stlillwater. Playing with out seniors Benedict, Denning and goalkeepr Dockstader, the Vikes' JV team again kept Stillwater scoreless in the first half, while scoring three goals.

Ryan Sorenson assisted freshman Nate Roberson on the first goal and McGady assisted Doak on the second. Zavala scored the Vikes' third and final goal of the first half. His goal came despite the Stillwater goalkeeper's best efforts at charging the ball.

Stillwater scored its first goal after the Vikes scored their fourth. Zac Hansen made the score 4-0 in favor of the Vikes. He scored a second goal in the half as well. Also scoring for Bigfork in the second half was Ingram.

"It was a great effort from our kids," Bigfork assistant coach Mike Daniels said.

Bigfork out-shot Stillwater 23-10 and Hansen had six saves for the Vikes in the box. Stillwater's goalie recorded nine saves.

The Vikes' next match comes today, Sept. 20, versus conference opponent Libby. The game begins at 3 p.m. Bigfork also faces Polson in conference action this weekend. That match starts in Polson at 11 a.m. Sept. 22.

Stillwater 0 1 — 1

Bigfork 4 1 — 5

STILLWATER — Zach George (penalty kick), 44:00

BIGFORK — Derek Minemyer (Roland Benedict), 9:00; Benedict (Trey Lehrman), 19:00; Minemyer (Taylor Ingram), 24:00; Ingram (Alec MacCallum), 38:00; Trey Lehrman (Minemyer), 54:00

Shots on goal — SCS 5, BF 25

Corner kicks — SCS 3, BF 9

Goalie saves — SCS 2 (Tim Butterfield), BF 2 (Levi Dockstader 1, Zac Hansen 1)

Fouls — SCS 2, BF 9

Cards — SCS 0, BF 1 (red, denial)

Bigfork 0 1 — 1

Columbia Falls 3 0 — 3

BIGFORK — Roland Benedict (free kick), 47:00

COLUMBIA FALLS — DJ Stoneman (Uriah Keller), 4:00; Josh McNeil (Stoneman), 10:00; McNeil (Edgar Salcido), 15:00

Shots on goal — BF 3, CF 13

Corner kicks — BF 3, CF 4

Goalie saves — BF 4 (Levi Dockstader), CF 2 (George Kimerly)

Fouls — BF 8, CF 2

Cards — None

The Bigfork High School girls' soccer team is still searching for its first win, but has found the team chemistry that its coach thinks will lead the Vals to victory soon.

Bigfork lost its match against the Columbia Falls Wildkats Saturday 4-0 in Columbia Falls. The loss leaves the Vals' record at 0-3 in conference and 0-5 overall.

"I'm happy with the all-around effort they gave," Bigfork coach Steve Koch said of the Vals.

The Kats scored two goals in each half of the match. Koch said Columbia Falls' second half goals were due to the Vals' flat play and some "mental mistakes."

"It was back and forth. The last 20-22 minutes we hammered them," Koch said. "We just need the breaks to go our way."

The Vals lost to the Kats 8-1 in Bigfork's home- and season-opener Aug. 25.

Bigfork goalkeepr Charlene Miller recorded eight saves for the Vals, who took 15 shots on goal. Koch credited Becca Denning, Andie Sorenson and Caitlinn Charlebois with great all-around play, position, aggressiveness and hustle.

"I believe we're ready to play," Koch said of the Vals' upcoming matches against Libby and Polson. "There's no excuses."

Bigfork hosts the Libby Lady Loggers at 5 p.m. today, Sept. 20, and travels to Polson Sept. 22 at 1 p.m.

Bigfork 0 0 — 0

Columbia Falls 2 2 — 4

COLUMBIA FALLS — Lindsey Henning (direct kick), 18:00; Kassi Hebert (Jamie Valov), 25:00; Hebert (Valov), 47:00; Hebert (Henning), 48:00

Shots on goal — BF 15, CF 12

Corner kicks — BF 1, CF 1

Goalie saves — BF 8 (Charlene Miller), CF 6 (Colyne Hislop)

Fouls — BF 3, CF 2

Cards — None