Braves wallop Helena for title shot
The Daily Inter Lake
Revenge is sweet.
The Flathead Braves lost only one match in the regular season, losing to Helena High 1-0 in a physical game. The two teams met up again Friday at the state AA tournament in Helena, and the outcome was much different.
The Braves offense was unstoppable, scoring eight goals while Flatheads defense recorded another shutout. Luke Fischer, Sean Riley and Chresten Knaff each scored two goals each for the Braves.
Fischer was able to score just three minutes into the game off an assist by Kellen Murray.
Helena High earned six shots on goal, but many were from long distances. The Bengals never really threatened Flatheads goalkeeper.
This game was very good for us, Flathead coach Tom McFarlane said. We were so ready for these guys. It was pretty much a clinic.
Helena got beat in nearly every statistic. Flathead earned 10 more shots on goal in the high-scoring game and earned five corner kicks.
The teams had another physical match, totaling 22 fouls and three yellow cards. The referees also tagged the Bengals with a red card.
The Braves face East No. 1 seed Great Falls CMR at noon today for the state title. Because Flathead and CMR played matches at the same time Friday, McFarlane said he had parents scouting CMR.
The guys are confident, McFarlane said. They know they played well all over the field today.
CMR had an undefeated season in the East conference and should give the Braves competition for the title. Because Flathead was routing Helena, many of the Braves starters got a lot of rest, and are ready for todays match.
CMR will give us a good game, McFarlane said. This probably wont be any blow out.
BRAVES 8, BENGALS 0
Flathead 3 5 8
Helena 0 0 0
Flathead Luke Fischer (Kellen Murray) 3:00; Sean Riley (Jeremy DeHerrera) 29:00; Fischer 40:00; Riley (Murray) 46:00; Murray (Fischer) 57:00; Chresten Knaff 80:00; Nicho Hash 81:00; Knaff (Wes Hays) 83:00
Shots Kalispell 16, Helena 6. Corner kicks Kalispell 5, Helena 2. Saves Kalispell 4 (Mack Andrews 4), Helena 3. Total fouls Kalispell 8, Helena 14. Yellow cards Kalispell 1, Helena 2. Red cards Helena.
Girls
Bravettes 3, Senior 1
Bravettes 3, Helena High 0
The Flathead girls came back after a heartbreaking loss Thursday and put together two solid wins over Billings Senior and Helena High on Friday.
Bravettes forward Jelisa Guy scored all three of Flathead goals in a 3-1 win over Senior at noon. The Broncs Brooke Peterson scored her teams only goal in the loser-out game.
A few hours after beating Senior, Flathead was out on the field to face the Bengals and won 3-0. The girls used their momentum from the earlier game to earn the teams ninth shutout this season.
Meghan OConnell and Emily Lewis each scored to give the Bravettes a 2-0 lead at the half. OConnell scored again at the 60-minute mark to ensure Flatheads advancement to the consolation game.
The Bravettes will face Great Falls Russell today at 10 a.m. for third place.