Girls soccer a mix of young talent, veterans

By CHRIS PETERSON

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team will lean on young talent this season. The Wildcats lost their top scorers — Maddie Robison and Cheyanne Johnston-Heinz to graduation.

Combined, the two had 48 goals last year.

But they have three incoming freshmen coach Thomas Clark said will see immediate action on the pitch — Taylor Rogers, Mila Johns and Bella Mann.

“They’ll have big roles to play and big shoes to fill,” Clark said last week.

While last year the squad was apt to boot the ball to the offensive end, this year they’ll utilize a ball-control style of play, where they’ll look to keep and retain possession.

While the young talent will play a big part, the Cats still have plenty of firepower on the offensive end, with returning starters Hope McAtee, Josie Harris and Sydney Mann.

All three are excellent athletes.

Bella Mann is the younger sister to Sydney Mann, who is also a standout softball player.

McAtee, in turn, is a standout basketball player.

The Wildcats will also return keeper Zoey Byrd. Byrd, Harris, McAtee and Sydney Mann are all captains.

Whitefish is the favorite in the conference and Butte Central and Laurel are the top teams in the east again this year.

“Until we dethrone those guys, they’re always the favorites,” Clark noted.

The Cats open the season the same as the boys — at home Friday and Saturday against Hamilton and Loyola. Both teams should be good early tests.

Game times are 3 p.m. and 11 a.m. respectively.

The Cats’ goals are the same as every year — make the playoffs and try to make a deep run.

Last year they lost to Laurel 3-1 in the first round.