Girls hope hard work pays off

For the Columbia Falls girls soccer team, it's all about getting back to the basics this season.

"Our goal is to work hard the whole year. Then we'll be competitive and successful," said coach Greg Trenerry. "We want to make the playoffs."

The girls haven't been in the playoffs in a couple of years — an anomaly for a program that usually goes into the post season.

Last year the girls fell just short, with a 6-4-1 record.

This year's team includes many of the same players. The Kats lost just one player to graduation and have just two seniors — keeper Niesha Thompson and mid-fielder Elena Potter.

Behind them are a host of juniors — there are 10 juniors on the squad and seven other promising and talented underclassmen. Many of the girls played soccer either in spring or summer leagues.

Trenerry is hesitant to single out any one player.

"We're looking to have solid performances all over the field," he said. "We should have good depth. When we sub there shouldn't be a difference."

Trenerry said he doesn't see a favorite in the conference this season. Whitefish and Libby should be tough again, but "we're taking all the teams seriously." The conference also includes Bigfork and Polson.

The girls open the season at 5 p.m. Aug. 31 against Bigfork at home. It could be a key game. Last year, Bigfork knocked the Kats out of the playoff hunt.

Two teams from Northwest A qualified for the playoffs last year. This year three teams will make it to postseason.

Trenerry is assisted by his daughter and former Columbia Falls soccer player Nicolette Bales.