Rematch round for C-Falls, Whitefish
Who could forget.
Last year Columbia Falls and Hamilton were forced into overtime to settle the Class A state boys soccer championship in Columbia Falls.
Hamilton prevailed in OT, 2-1, on a very windy afternoon. It was the first ever state title for Hamilton.
Well …
Those two teams will go at it once again this afternoon at 1 p.m. in Columbia Falls. Unlike last year's classic battle, it's the semifinal round this time around.
"We remember last year's game," said Columbia Falls coach Peter Browne.
"We've been thinking about Hamilton for awhile. We're pretty focused. This is a big game for us."
Hamilton enters play 12-0-1 while Columbia Falls carries a 9-2-2 record overall.
In the other boys semifinal matchup, Corvallis, 5-6-1, visits Billings Central, 10-1-1.
In girls semifinal play today, Whitefish, 9-3-1, entertains Corvallis, 4-7-1, while Belgrade, 6-2-2, travels to Hamilton, 12-1.
The Whitefish-Corvallis match, set to begin at noon at Smith Fields, is a rematch of last year's first-round playoff contest. Whitefish pulled the upset, 3-0 in Corvallis, handing the Blue Devils their first loss of the season.
The Bulldogs then fell in the semifinals at Laurel.
Whitefish is coming off a hard-fought 7-5 shootout victory over Stevensville last Saturday in Whitefish. Corvallis posted a 3-2 shootout victory at Billings Central for the right to advance.
Sarah Clarke, Mariah Driscoll, Alex White and Carmel Johnston all scored in the shootout for the Bulldogs. White had two goals in regulation play and Carly Lengstorf added a goal in overtime on a penalty kick.
Kirstin NallyMadigan had five goal saves for the Bulldogs.
Columbia Falls will be a full strength for the Broncs as senior Cory Pete, sidelined with a knee injury, is back in the lineup.
Pete practiced Thursday, and according to Browne, "looked OK.
"We'll see how it goes. He'll probably get the start, but will not be 100 percent."
Still, it will be a major boost to have him on the field. He's second on the team in scoring with seven goals and shared the assist lead with five.
"He's such an integral part of the team," said Browne.
"It's good for morale that he's back."
Columbia Falls opened the postseason last Saturday by clubbing Belgrade 3-0. Hamilton, on the other hand, breezed by Libby, 7-1.
"Both teams are experienced," said Browne.
"It should be a good match.
"The key for us is to come out and play our game," added Browne.
"Play solid right off the bat. We just have to crash early."
Alex Branch scored twice for Columbia Falls against Belgrade and Dustin Gibson accounted for the other goal as the Wildcats got off to a quick start.
Lee Kizer had five goalie saves.