Cats miss soccer playoff berth with loss to Bigfork

The Columbia Falls boys soccer season ended on a high note, as the Wildcats beat Polson 6-2 to end their season.

Connor Williams had a hat trick for the Cats in the Oct. 6 match-up at home. The game was tied 2-2 at the half before Williams broke out with three goals in the second quarter to ice the Pirates.

“We played pretty well,” said coach Peter Browne. “But it was a little too much a little too late.”

Overall, Browne was pleased with senior leadership from Williams, Luke Kazlauskas and Austin Martin.

The Cats’ playoff hopes were dashed when they lost to Bigfork earlier in the week. The Vikings beat the Cats 1-0 on Oct. 2 at home.

It was a tight match, and late in the first half it appeared Williams tied it with a goal, but the score was waved off on an off-side call.

The boys finished the season at 2-4-2 in league play and 3-6-2 overall. Bigfork was scheduled to play Libby on Tuesday after presstime in a play-in game to make the playoffs. The Loggers were 2-3-3 in league play to edge the Cats.

Polson 0 2 - 2

Col. Falls 2 4 - 6

CF - Gaven Thelen (assist), 22:00

CF - Connor Williams, assist Caleb Baumann, 30:00

CF - Logan Carr, 48:00

CF - Williams, Daniel Skinner, 54:00

P - James Larson, 60:00

CF - Skinner, Williams, 64:00

P - Larson, 68:00

CF - Williams, 75:00

Shots - Polson 5, Columbia Falls 12. Saves - Polson 4 (Spencer Kittle), Columbia Falls 4 (Mason Gedlaman). Corner kicks - Polson 2, Columbia Falls 5. Total fouls - Polson 2, Columbia Falls 6. Yellow cards - none. Red cards - none.

Bigfork 1 0 - 1

Columbia Falls 0 0 - 0

B - Jorge Zavala, 30:00

Shots - Bigfork 10, Columbia Falls 6. Saves - Bigfork 8 (Dillon Hilling), Columbia Falls 8 (Mason Gedlaman). Corner kicks - Bigfork 2, Columbia Falls 1. Total fouls - Bigfork 3, Columbia Falls 6. Yellow cards - none. Red cards - none.