Boys soccer looks to right the ship

Things are looking up for the boys soccer program. They have to. Last year the team didn't win any games and started out the first few weeks of practice with barely enough players to field a team.

This season there's a new attitude and seven freshmen on the roster of 18. There are plenty of returning players who have learned the lessons of last year.

"We've had a good week of training," coach Peter Browne said last Friday. "We've got a lot of young kids out, which is good for the program and the seniors are working hard and setting the pace."

The team will get tested early and often. They have four games in the first week of the season, starting out with Stillwater Christian School at home 11 a.m. Aug. 28. They face Bigfork Aug. 31 in their first conference game and then travel Sept. 3 and 4 to face Livingston and Belgrade respectively.

It's a demanding schedule, but Browne's optimistic.

"I think you'll see a big change (in this team) from last year," said the coach, who is in his 10th year with Columbia Falls. "I'm looking forward to it."

While the team has a young component, they'll also see returning players in seniors Jake Calderwood, Nate Holt, Matt Hensley, Alex Vanhorn and Trevor Fehrenbach.

Ed Hynes and junior Taylor Martinson, one of the fastest athletes in the school, are new to the team this year.

This squad should also see solid play from the likes of returning juniors Kevin Shea, Talen Stringer, Anthony Correa and Dylan Corbett.

"We're like the phoenix," Browne said. "Rising from the ashes."

And the conference? Browne said it's down a little bit from last year in overall talent, but will still be competitive, without one dominating team.

This season's team will also see a coaching change. Browne's longtime assistant Tony Budesa stepped down and Brian Crandell, a counselor at Canyon Elementary, will join the team.

Crandell played soccer in both high school and college.