Cats win playoff opener over Laurel, 3-0

Auguste Emond, left goes up for a header against two Laurel defenders.

Paxton Fisher clears the ballon defense for the Cats.

Jon Sigurdsson watches as a shot on goal heads toward the back of the net for his second goal of the game.

by CHRIS PETERSON
Editor | October 19, 2016 8:44 AM

Paxton Fisher clears the ballon defense for the Cats.

Jon Sigurdsson watches as a shot on goal heads toward the back of the net for his second goal of the game.

For the first time in nine years, the Columbia Falls boys soccer team notched a win in the state A soccer playoffs, blanking Laurel, 3-0 at home.

Columbia Falls forward Jon Sigurdsson was held, kicked, pushed and shoved most of the game, but he still had two goals against the Locomotives to lead the Cats.

Freshman Skylar Chute, who has had some big goals this season and has gained the confidence of his older teammates, sealed the victory with a shot on a feed from Logan Stephens at the 74-minute mark.

Coach O’Brien Byrd said the Cats felt the pressure of having not been in the playoffs for years, but they rose to the occasion.

“The guys came out and performed under pressure,” he said.

He said while it wasn’t always “Wildcat soccer” the team found a way to win.

Sigurdsson was visibly frustrated by the fouls, but was able to bust through a host of Laurel defenders for his first goal at the 39-minute mark on a shot inside the 18. But his second goal was a thing of beauty. He was knocked down, rolled back up, and then hammered the loose ball into the far corner of the net.

The Cats played excellent defense, holding Laurel to just six shots on goal, dominating the midfield most the match.

Byrd said the team gained some valuable confidence in the win.

They face Belgrade at noon Saturday at home. The Panthers beat the Cats earlier this season 6-3 in a game the Cats led 2-0 early.

Byrd said the team has learned from it.

“We learned a lot about composure,” he said. “That was a big lesson.”

If the boys win, they’d have to travel to the championship game. Corvallis and Billings Central are on the other side of the bracket. Corvallis is undefeated on the season and the defending state champions, having won the last two state A titles. Columbia Falls last won a state title in 2005, when they beat Billings Central in overtime, 2-1.

Laurel 0 0 — 0

Columbia Falls 2 1 — 3

CF — Jon Sigurdsson (unassisted), 36:00

CF — Sigurdsson (unassisted), 39:00

CF — Skylar Chute (Logan Stephens), 74:00

Shots on goal — Laurel 6, Columbia Falls 13. Saves — Laurel 9 (Kaleb Ripley), Columbia Falls 6 (Brandon Karberg). Corner kicks — Laurel 2, Columbia Falls 5. Fouls — Laurel 9, Columbia Falls 13. Cards — Yellow: Columbia Falls 1. at home