Cross-valley alumni soccer match slated

The Flathead Rapids will hold their first Flathead Valley alumni game at Grouse Mountain Fields, in Whitefish, on Sunday, July 1, with games from 10 a.m. into the evening.

Twenty years of celebrated soccer history will be recognized this summer at the North Valley Cup, coach O’Brien Byrd said, as 20 graduating classes from Columbia Falls and Whitefish high schools battle each other on the field.

“The Flathead Rapids will combine with Glacier United to help rebrand and restructure youth soccer in the North Valley,” he said. “We are the only club team in the state with a men’s and women’s premier team at the top of our club’s structure.”

Two outside teams will be brought in to play the Flathead Rapids’ premier teams after the alumni games are finished. The Rapids Women will take on the University of Montana’s alumni team, coached by current head coach Mark Plakorus, and the Rapids Men will play the Sandpoint Monarchs.

Head coaches include Greg and Nicolette Trenerry for Columbia Falls girls, Peter Browne for Whitefish boys, Lini Reading for Whitefish girls, and O’Brien Byrd for Columbia Falls boys.

North Valley Cup schedule:

10 a.m. Current Columbia Falls and Whitefish boys, 70 min.

11:30 a.m. Current Columbia Falls and Whitefish girls, 70 min.

1 p.m. Whitefish Alumni Women vs. Columbia Falls Alumni Women, 90 min.

3 p.m. Whitefish Alumni Men vs. Columbia Falls Alumni Men, 90 min.

5 p.m. Rapids Women Premier vs. University of Montana, 90 min.

7 p.m. Rapids Men Premier vs. Sandpoint Monarchs, 90 min.