Kats eye another run at state crown

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team looks to make another run at a state title this year and they have the team to do it.

The Kats lost just two starters from last year's squad, Megan Seliger and Lyndsey Strouse to graduation. Last year the girls took second in the state tourney, falling short to Laurel.

The girls are stacked with talent, particularly on the defensive end. Coach Greg Trenerry said the squad might be the best defense in the state. Last year they relied on the defense heavily, as they settled for a host of ties.

This year Trenerry expects the offense to be more consistent. They have a good group on offense, including sophomore Hannah Gedlaman, and seniors Tavia Bechtel, Sidney Grilley and Ellie Johnson. Lexie Strouse anchors the defense.

But it's really up to the girls, Trenerry said.

"They've got to work hard," he said. "But they like each other and they're a good group of young women."

Trenerry said the girls just have to be a little more consistent on offense than last season. They did have one setback already - Lottie Ellis is out with a season-ending knee injury she sustained in practice. After surgery, she'll be the team manager.

The team has nine starting seniors and 24 total. They'll have a junior varsity team again this year. The junior varsity team is coached by former Wildkat Sarah (Frank) Lovitt.

Polson and Whitefish are the top two teams in the conference this year and looking to the East, Billings Central lost no one from last year's squad, though they do have a new coach. Central has been one of the top teams in the state for years, but the Kats knocked the Lady Rams out of the playoffs last year.

The Kats open their season against Livingston on Friday at home. Game time is 3 p.m.