Two ties and a loss for Bigfork boys soccer

Every other year Bigfork travels to Eastern Montana to take on Billings Central and Laurel. Last weekend the Vikings made the trip over and came back with a 2-2 tie from Laurel and a 3-0 loss in Billings Central.

The first goal of their game against Laurel on Friday was an own goal by the Vikings at the 21st minute. Laurel brought the score up to 2-0 at the 60 minute with a goal by Collyn Hons.

"The boys put themselves in a hole early with the own goal and put themselves deeper in the hole with the goal at the 60 minute," said Bigfork High School Head Boys Soccer Coach Keith Koslosky. "We took the ball from the kickoff down the field and missed the goal just wide, but that seemed to change the momentum of the game for us."

Senior Alec MacCallum finally got Bigfork on the board with a goal off of a corner kick from sophomore Dillon Charlebois, which he headed in at the 69-minute mark while being marked by two opponents.

"At that point whatever aches and pains we had seemed to be cast off," Koslosky said. "They got a second wind and all 11 boys on the field played inspired soccer."

Senior Lael Richmond tied the game up for the Vikings at 71 minutes with an assist by MacCallum.

"The boys not only dug themselves a hole and dug themselves out, but also created numerous opportunities toward the end of the game to get themselves a victory, but unfortunately that was not to be," Koslosky said.

Nate Roberson had three saves for the Vikings and Branden Ness had three for Laurel, who took 12 shots on the goal while Bigfork took seven.

"Skyler Doak was rock solid in the back and Nate Roberson performed well in the goal again for us," Koslosky said. "Keenan Evans, Matt Killian and Austin Jordt are improving with each game."

Bigfork was unable to improve their record the following day, though, as they were shut out by Billings Central.

Cody Dutton started things off for Billings with a goal at the 11-minute mark. The Vikings held them off from there until the last five minutes of the game, when Kevin Klee scored at 75 minutes and Mikey Wall added a goal for the Rams at the 78 minute mark.

"Where on Friday the final 10 minutes proved to be our time to shine, on Saturday it was our undoing," Koslosky said.

Billings took 30 shots on the goal and Bigfork took just four. The Rams had nine corner kicks and the Vikings did not have any. Cody Linde had 14 saves at goalie in the shut out for Billings. Roberson had two saves.

"We went into the weekend not overly concerned with results as far as the final scores," Koslosky said. "We went into it as an opportunity to explore different combinations of systems and players. I personally came away very satisfied with what I saw from the boys. All in all it was a great weekend for Bigfork soccer."

Last Tuesday the Vikings hosted Stillwater Christian in another non-conference match that resulted in a 0-0 tie.

"I think due to the heat, play was somewhat slow on both sides," Koslosky said. "The game was one that not many opportunities availed themselves. We had two very good opportunities and were unable to capitalize on them."

Roberson had four saves for Bigfork in the goal and Josh LaGassey had two for Stillwater.

"Defensively we were solid and Nate was solid in the goal," Koslosky said. "It was a day that goal keepers came out on top in."

Bigfork hosts Whitefish at 5:30 p.m. tonight, Sept. 10, at Carlisle Johnson Field, and next Tuesday they will travel to Columbia Falls.