Flathead boys win U-14 state soccer tourney
The Flathead Soccer Club U14 boys win state championship team members are, left to right, front row, Curran Edland, Addison Clark, Jared Thompson, Nathan Boone, Sean Janni and Zack Waldher; back row, Monte White, Troy Fraley, Tanner Maroney, Kellen Bates, Matt Peters, Sam Donaldson, Thomas Clark and coach Steve Boone. Not shown are Kaleb Cannaday, Iaian Cameron and assistant coach Nick Munson.
The Flathead Soccer Club U-14 boys won their age group at the Montana State Cup hosted by the Montana Youth Soccer Association.
The team will continue on to represent Montana at the Far West Regional Championship in Lancaster, Calif., on June 15-20.
Flathead won all four games they played at the State Cup with a cumulative score of 15-1, including shutout wins in both the semi-final and final matches. They defeated the Missoula Strikers 4-0 in the semi-final and the highly touted Bozeman Avalanche 2-0 in the final.
The local boys displayed a highly competitive team approach, with a stout defense, smothering midfield play, skillful attack and strong goalkeeping. The team's resolute approach was made even more noteworthy as they won the tournament with only 13 players, due to injuries.
Leading the way for Flathead was the goalkeeping duo of Kellen Bates and Thomas Clark, who combined to allow just one goal, with Bates shutting out the Avalanche in the championship game.
The stout defense was anchored by Matt Peters, along with Sean Janni and Addison Clark at outside backs.
The central midfield group of Tanner Maroney, Monte White, Zack Waldher and Jared Thompson constantly denied space and time to the opposition and participated well in attack.
The outside midfielders, Troy Fraley and Sam Donaldson, worked endlessly, transitioning from defense to attack, with each contributing goals and assists, while forwards Curran Edland and Nathan Boone applied constant pressure to opposing defenses.
The team was led in scoring at the State Cup by Boone, with five goals, and Edland and Maroney, with three each.
Over the course of the season, the U-14 boys compiled a record of 13 wins, two losses, and two ties while outscoring the opposition 57-21. The team is comprised of players from Whitefish and Kalispell, and represents a combination of players who played on rival clubs Flathead Force and Glacier United for the past three years.
The team is gladly accepting donations and contributions to raise money for their upcoming trip to the Far West Regional Tournament. For more information, contact either the Flathead Soccer Club office at 257-6631 or head coach Steve Boone at 863-8408.