Girls split the bill
Mckenzie Kizer's last second shot against Belgrade Saturday would sail just wide. (Chris Peterson photo)
The Columbia Falls girls soccer team split the weekend bill, beating Park High School 2-1 Friday, but then they let a lead slip away and lost to Belgrade 3-2 Saturday.
On Friday forward Mckenzie Kizer scored eight minutes into the game and then Courtney White scored at the 64 minute mark. Goalie Niesha Thompson then made some sweet saves to preserve the win in the closing minutes.
Columbia Falls had 19 shots on goal to Park's eight.
On Saturday, the Kats opened a 2-1 lead against the Panthers but defensive lapses allowed Belgrade back in it, as they scored at the 63 minute mark to tie it and at the 70-minute mark to take the lead.
The Kats also had a mistake early — a foul in the penalty box gave Belgrade an early scoring opportunity.
The defensive lapses are a concern, said coach Greg Trenerry, particularly since the Kats, in both games, did a good job of controlling the ball.
"We tend to let up when we're ahead," he said. He said the defense needs to tighten up better and clear the ball and not get back on its heels.
The Kats had a chance to force overtime when Kizer had an open last second shot on the goal, but she got just a shade too much lift and the ball went over the net.
The Kats face Libby this week in their first conference match. Trenerry expects a good game.
"I think it will be one of our toughest matches," he said.
After years of being in the basement, the Loggers soccer program has improved considerably.
Livingston 1 0 - 1
Columbia Falls 1 1 - 2
LIVINGSTON - Kelly Anderson, 34:00
COLUMBIA FALLS - Mckenzie Kizer, 8:00; Courtney White, 64:00
Shots on goal - Livingston 8, Columbia Falls 19
Corner kicks - Livingston 0, Columbia Falls 4
Goalie saves - Livingston 13 (Carolina Kehoe), Columbia Falls 5 (Niesha Thompson)
Fouls - Livingston 4, Columbia Falls 1
Cards - None
Belgrade 1 2 — 3
Columbia Falls 1 1 — 2
Belgrade: Shelby Erdahl (penalty kick) 10:00, Sidney Heckel, 63:00, Annie Prickett, 70:00
Columbia falls — McKenzie Kizer (McKenzie Reeve) 45:00, Reeve (Cedar Jordt) 60:00.
Shots —Belgrade, 8, Columbia Falls, 9
Saves — Belgrade 6 (Danielle Shingleton), Columbia Falls, 4 (Neisha Thompson).
Corner kicks — Belgrade 5, Columbia Falls, 1
Fouls, Belgrade 1, Columbia Falls, 5