Boys soccer team winless after first week

The Bigfork boys soccer team came out of its first three games of the season without a win.

The Vikings hosted Columbia Falls last Tuesday, Aug. 30 and fell 2-1 due to a successful late attack by the Wildcats.

“The boys played very well for their first game,” said Bigfork head boys soccer coach Keith Koslosky. “We are young and we played well. We have to sustain it for 80 minutes. That’s our focus.”

Bigfork’s Austin Gordon, assisted by Matt Killian, gave his team an early lead with a goal in the 22nd minute.

The Vikes were able to hold on to that lead and keep their opponents scoreless until the final 10 minutes of the game.

With just seven minutes remaining, Columbia Falls’ Talen Stringer put the ball into the goal to tie the game at one apiece. Then, during the final minute of the game, Caleb Boumann followed with a second goal to give the Wildcats the lead, and ultimately the win.

“There was a momentum shift and you could feel it slipping away,” Koslosky said. “ You can’t give up that many corner kicks that late and not expect to get hurt.”

Overall, Columbia Falls was awarded eight corner kicks during the match and Bigfork was allowed to take four. Both Bigfork and Columbia Falls took 11 shots on each other’s goals. Bigfork first-year goalkeeper Dillon Hilling was credited with six saves, while Columbia Falls’ Anthony Correa had five.

“He was fantastic. He was fabulous,” said Koslosky of Hilling. “He’s young, and he’s up to the task. He has some things to learn and to work on, as we all do, but he’ll be fine. He was tremendous. He was very active and courageous.”

Friday morning the Vikes traveled to Laurel for their first game in a two-game series on the road.

Bigfork trailed 1-0 at halftime, but by the end of the game the Vikes had allowed their opponent to tally another four points while they remained scoreless. Bigfork had a solid opportunity to get on the scoreboard, but missed a penalty kick midway through the second half that would have tied the game at one apiece, prior to Laurel’s scoring rally.

“Again we gave up two corner kicks late in the game. That’s becoming an Achilles’ heel,” Koslosky said. “All three matches (we played last week) we played strong early, and as the time went on we wore down and things deteriorated.”

The Vikes traveled to Billings on Saturday to play Billings Central for their third game of the season and had a better day on the field.

At halftime Bigfork trailed 3-0. Then, three minutes into the second half Gordon found the back of the net to bring the score to 3-1. However, Billings answered by scoring three goals between the 50th and 56th minute.

“They never hung their heads, and they never stopped playing,” Koslosky said. “That was one of the things I was most proud of them for.”

Killian was able to put in a second goal for Bigfork to bring the score to 6-2, but Billings followed with two additional goals to finish the game ahead 8-2.

“The fatigue set in earlier than the previous two matches,” Koslosky said. “They did, however, come out with renewed energy at the half when they were down 3-0. They came out, and it looked like there could be a momentum shift, but Billings Central came and pushed back. Bil lings Central made an adjustment and we did not respond to it very well. Overall it’s impressive the way they are playing when they’re at their full capacity. Their goals against Billings were absolutely lovely. They were a great example of team attacking soccer.”

Hilling made 17 saves that game, during which Bigfork took seven shots on Billings’ goal.

Up Next

Bigfork hosted Stillwater Christian on Tuesday in a nonconference game.

The Vikings will travel next to Whitefish on Thursday to resume conference play. That game has a 6 p.m. start time.