Girls soccer as strong as ever this season

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team should be right in the postseason mix again this year, with a host of returning talent and some youth that looks to be stellar as well.

“I think this is the best team I’ve ever coached here,” head coach Thomas Clark said.

The girls were runner-ups in the state A championship last season to the rival Whitefish Bulldogs. While they lost three seniors, they retain the core of the squad and gain some new freshmen to the squad that are looking awfully good.

One of those freshmen is Evie Dorr, who should be a key part of the offense this season.

Also returning is sophomore center midfielder Rylie Byrd along with veterans Bella Mann, Taylor Rodgers, Apani Awua and Mila Johns just to name a few.

All told, the team has 10 members who played in the Montana Olympic Development team this year, an offseason program that grooms the best players in the state.

Having that many girls on the ODP from one community is a great accomplishment, Clark noted.

This year’s goalkeeper is Erica Burguiere with Alaina Dorr the backup. The girls open the season on the road this weekend against Lockwood and Laurel. Both eastern schools have solid programs and Laurel has had Columbia Falls number for years in the postseason, so it will be a great early test for the Wildcats.

All told, the varsity team has 16 and the junior varsity 15 players. Clark is assisted by Melanie Byrd, Alexis Kinder (junior varsity coach), Lexi Purcell and Brandon Karberg.