Braves stop CMR in quarterfinals
Today
At Helena
Semifinals
Noon
Flathead vs. Billings West
Bozeman vs. Helena Capital
Loser Out
Noon
CMR vs. Helena High
Butte vs. Billings Senior
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Thursday
First Round
Flathead 3, CMR 1
Billings West 2, Helena High 1
Bozeman 1, Butte 0
Helena Capital 3, Billings Senior 1
The Daily Inter Lake
HELENA - The Braves are a step closer to repeating as state champions.
The Flathead High School boys soccer team played one of its most complete games of the season Thursday, beating Great Falls C.M. Russell 3-1 in a Class AA state tournament quarterfinal match in Helena.
"This was probably our best game of the season in terms of connecting our passes, controlling the rhythm of the game," said first-year Flathead head coach Eric Sawtelle. "Really, as a team, everybody out on the field was just playing very well together."
Flathead took the lead when Connor Cavigli's shot was deflected into CMR's net for an own goal in the 24th minute. Dan Evans tied the game for CMR three minutes later when he scored on a spectacular 35-yard shot, but Andrew Gill scored on Luke Fischer's assist in the 36th minute and the Braves led 2-1 at halftime.
Flathead's Eric Narduzzi played brilliantly and scored on an amazing play to ice the game in the middle of the second half. Narduzzi controlled the ball just inside CMR territory when he was tackled from behind, but he popped up and won the ball back only to be tackled again a few yards later. After regaining the ball for a second time, Narduzzi passed to Fischer, who crossed the ball back to Narduzzi and Narduzzi fired the ball past CMR goalkeeper Keegan Baira.
Sawtelle said Flathead's coaching staff urged the Braves to remain composed throughout the tournament and the Braves took the message to heart.
"It's hard to say how things are going to turn out when we get on the field and all of us, as a coaching staff, were incredibly happy with the way we came out and played today," Sawtelle said. "(CMR) had some times when they were pressuring us quite a bit, but we played organized defensively."
Stopper Chris Ruby and sweeper Brandon Passmore anchored Flathead's defense, while Jeff Asa made key plays on the outside. Goalkeeper Jordan Vaughan notched three saves, including one on a header in the second half.
"Jordan just completely laid out, came out of nowhere and got a glove on it," Sawtelle said.
Flathead plays Billings West in the semifinals today at noon. The Golden Bears advanced by beating Helena 2-1 on Thursday.
"We feel if we come out and play our game, play like we did today, we'll be strong against anybody - we'll be hard to beat," Sawtelle said.
Cavigli left Thursday's match after taking a hard hit to the ribs, but he returned late in the contest and should be available today.
Great Falls CMR 1 0 - 1
Flathead 2 1 - 3
CMR - Dan Evans (Mike Forzley), 27:00
Flathead - Own goal, 24:00; Andrew Gill (Luke Fischer), 36:00; Eric Narduzzi (Fischer), 58:00
Shots on goal - CMR 7, Flathead 14
Corner kicks - CMR 3, Flathead 5
Goalie saves - CMR 4 (Keegan Baira), Flathead 3 (Jordan Vaughan)
Total fouls - CMR 7, Flathead 10
Yellow cards - CMR 1, Flathead 1