Broncs blow by Wildcats in OT

Hamilton wins its first state championship on Pasichnyk's 2nd goal

COLUMBIA FALLS -As it happened, the team that had the wind at its back for the last time turned out to be the victor.

Hamilton claimed its first Class A boys state soccer championship Saturday with a 2-1 victory in overtime over defending state champ Columbia Falls.

Cole Pasichnyk accounted for all of Hamilton's scoring with two breakaway goals. His first came at 39 minutes and the second two minutes into the second 10-minute overtime period on a sunny, but very blustery afternoon.

Columbia Falls forced OT when Cory Pete scored at 78 minutes. Assisting on that goal was Friedrich Von Schweinitz.

The wind was at the back of all three shooters in the match.

"I guess it (wind) was (a factor)," said Hamilton coach Randy Lint.

Hamilton was making its first title appearance after back-to-back third place finishes at state.

"This group of seniors have never played in a state title game," said Lint.

"They wanted it. Bottom line, we wanted it more than they did today."

The matchup featured the two teams with the best records in the state. Hamilton finished 14-1 while Columbia Falls completed its season 11-2-2.

"Two evenly matched teams," said Lint.

Pete's goal finally gave Columbia Falls some life with time running out. The Wildcats, prior to that, were denied shot after shot by Hamilton keeper Devin Splatt.

"Big momentum shift," said Lint.

"Our guys came off that pretty gut-shock. I tried to get them fired up. Convince them they could still win it."

Just as impressive was Columbia Falls keeper Lee Kizer. He had numerous saves, keeping the Wildcats in contention.

Kizer had 11 keeper saves for the match and Splatt eight.

"We crawled back into it," said Columbia Falls coach Peter Browne.

"We had some momentum (at the end)."

Browne said he really didn't talk "about the wind that much," to his team.

"I thought Hamilton played really well," he said.

"They're a great counter attack team."

Browne called Hamilton's two scores, which gave Pasichnyk eight for the season, "class goals."

"We didn't play with a lot of urgency at times," said Browne. "At times we played well. We lost possession a lot. Give credit to Hamilton."

Columbia Falls had 22 shots on goal to 20 for Hamilton. The Wildcats had five corner kicks to four for the Broncs.

"We had our chances," said Browne.

"We could have had a bunch of goals."

The loss spoiled a dominating run through the playoffs for the Wildcats. They opened by shutting down Livingston, 3-0, and last week in the semifinals crushed Laurel, 7-1.

The victory over Laurel was the 20th over two seasons for the Wildcats.

"I'm proud to have coached a group like this," said Browne.

"They are a great bunch of kids. They have great character, great camaraderie."

BRONCS 2, WILDCATS 1

Hamilton 1 0 1 - 2

Columbia Falls 0 1 0 - 1

Hamilton - Cole Pasichnyk, 39:00; Pasichnyk 92:00.

Columbia Falls - Cory Pete (Friedrich Von Schweinitz), 78:00.

Fouls - Hamilton 9, Columbia Falls 5; Cards - None; Shots on goal - Hamilton 20, Columbia Falls 22; Corner kicks - Hamilton 4, Columbia Falls 5; Goalie saves - Hamilton 8 (Devin Splatt), Columbia Falls 11 (Lee Kizer).