Murray scores twice, Flathead boys advance

Bravettes fall 3-1 to Billings West, first loss of season for Flathead

The Daily Inter Lake

The Braves soccer team won its first game at state against Bozeman Thursday to advance to the semifinals in Helena.

In spite of Bozeman constantly covering Sean Riley with at least two defenders, the Braves still won 4-0.

Three minutes into the game, Riley drove the ball into the top of the box. He crossed the ball to the near post to find Kellen Murray just seven yards from the goal. Murray scored the only first-half goal for the Braves.

We scored early, and that was good, Flathead coach Tom McFarlane said. We want to do that in all our games.

Bozeman attempted numerous rallies in the first half and had the Braves on their heels. Flathead had many players hustling back to counter Bozemans quick offense.

Late in the first half, Brave forward Luke Fisher made a great run from downfield to Flatheads defensive area and stopped a Bozeman player from taking a shot.

The guys had to make some adjustments for fast kids, McFarlane said. But they absorbed it well and Mack [Andrews] made some great saves.

After the half, the Braves turned on its powerful offense and scored three goals in 20 minutes.

At the 47-minute mark, Alex Young sent a left-footed cross to Riley who headed the ball into the back of the net.

Stephen Bailon and Murray followed that performance with a nice cross and header 13 minutes later.

Flatheads final goal came when Young received the ball on the left side from Fisher. Young was all alone and beat Bozemans keeper for the score.

The final score was lopsided, but the competition was exactly what the Braves needed after two weeks off.

The Braves face Helena High today at 10 a.m. The Bengals defeated Flathead earlier in the season. Helena beat Billings Senior Thursday 1-0 off a penalty kick.

The guys are chomping at the bit, McFarlane said. They are ready to beat them. We feel were a better team.

Braves 4, hawks 0

Flathead 1 3 4

Bozeman 0 0 0

Flathead 3:00 Kellen Murray (Sean Riley), 47:00 Riley (Alex Young), 60:00 Murray (Stephen Bailon), 67:00 Young (Luke Fisher)

Shots on goal F 15, B 10

Goal saves F 6 (Mack Andrews), B 5

Corner kicks F 3, B 4

Fouls F 10, B 15

Cards F 1 yellow, B 2 yellow