C-Falls soccer squads have high hopes for 2018

After losing in the state semi-final in 2017, the Wildkats soccer team will be looking to take the next step this year as they open the 2018 season at home against Bigfork Thursday.

The Kats fell to eventual state runner-up Billings Central in their semi-final matchup last year, but the 2018 squad features three seniors and a host of young talent that might just have what it takes to win it all this season.

“We were excited to win our conference and make as far as we did in the playoffs last year, but I have already heard the girls talking about how it was not quite enough. They really want to make it to the championship game this season,” head coach O’Brien Byrd said. “That is definitely one of our goals and I think we can do it. We only have three seniors, but our juniors and underclassmen are exceptional.”

The Kats will be looking for a new top scorer after the graduation of Hannah Gedlaman from last year’s squad, but Byrd says there are several players ready to step up on the offensive side of the ball.

“We lost a great goal scorer in Hannah Gedlaman from last year’s team, but we are not really too concerned,” Byrd said. “Don’t get me wrong, she’s a great player that we are going to miss but I think Josie Windauer is going to pick up right where Hannah left off and possibly make a run at the school’s goal scoring record this season.”

Also helping lead the Wildkat attack this season will be sophomore forward LaKia Hill, who scored nine goals as assisted on eight more in 2017. According to Byrd, seniors Kyla Johnston and Kaylee Ashe will help provide leadership to talented freshmen Maddie Robinson and Cheyanne Johnston-Heinz.

With a regular season that lasts only five weeks, Byrd says the real trick this season will be learning quickly.

“We just need to figure out our new system quickly. We have such a short season that we don’t have a lot of time to get on the same page, and that will be our biggest challenge,” he said. “Other than that, we just need to limit our mistakes and stay healthy.”

The Wildcat boys will be hoping to make another trip to the post-season this year, coming off a 2017 season in which they reached the state quarterfinals.

“We are going to be more focused on team defense than we were last year. We’re not as deep up front as we are with the girls’ team, but we have a whole crop of excellent defenders that we just need to get working on the same page,” Byrd said. “Our goal with the team this year is to make it to the playoffs and finish in the top three in the conference. If we make the playoffs, then anything can happen.”

Byrd said that seniors John Gilk, Chance Adams, Dillon Wanner and Payton Fisher should led the way this year while junior goal keeper Story Stemborski could have a standout season.

“Our seniors give us strength right up the middle of the field with all of those central positions. Danny Henjum should also have a breakout year for us this season,” Byrd said. “We are going to be more focused on team defense than we were last year. We’re not as deep up front as we are with the girls’ team, but we have a whole crop of excellent defenders that we just need to get working on the same page. Our goal with the team this year is to make it to the playoffs and finish in the top three in the conference. If we make the playoffs, then anything can happen.”

The season gets underway with the boys at home against Bigfork at 5 p.m. Thursday, followed by the girls at 7 p.m. Both teams will be on the road at Frenchtown Tuesday.