Flathead kickers blank Sentinel

By GREG SCHINDLERT

he Daily Inter Lake

The Flathead High School soccer teams posted shutouts against visiting Missoula Sentinel on Thursday in Kalispell.

In the Western Division openers for both teams, the Braves blanked the Spartans 4-0 and the Bravettes won 2-0.

Braves 4, Spartans 0

Following a sloppy 6-2 season-opening loss at Whitefish on Tuesday, the Braves (1-1, 1-0) played like the Flathead team that won the Class AA state title last year, dominating Sentinel offensively and defensively.

Play was delayed for more than 30 minutes in the first half due to lightning while the game was still scoreless. But once the skies cleared and play resumed, Flathead played beautiful team soccer.

Junior forward Luke Fischer began the scoring with a goal in the 16th minute, which was set up by an assist from senior Andrew Gill. Gill made the score 2-0 at halftime when he registered an unassisted goal in the 39th minute.

The score stood at 2-0 until sophomore midfielder Cameron Clevidence put Sentinel away with goals in the 76th and 78th minutes. His first goal was assisted by junior midfielder Chris Ruby and his final goal came courtesy of an assist by junior midfielder Connor Cavigli.

Junior goalkeeper Jordan Vaughan guarded the net brilliantly for the Braves, recording three saves and leading Flathead's defensive communication.

Flathead coach Eric Sawtelle said the Braves' drastically-improved play wasn't the result of a dramatic speech or radical adjustment.

"It's just finally getting together," Sawtelle said. "These guys showed they had a lot of character today."

According to Sawtelle, the Braves still have a lot of things to improve upon, but their defensive organization and teamwork were much better than they were two days before.

"They played their hearts out and that's what we asked them to do," Sawtelle said. "All the players have so much pride in themselves and what they're working for - it didn't take much from me."

Flathead also tallied 14 shots on goal in a testy match which included 27 combined fouls.

Sawtelle said senior Brian Hagen and junior Chris Ruby both played well at stopper and junior Brendan Passmore made key contributions at sweeper. Junior defender Isaiah Dasen also played well on the outside.

Sentinel coach Lash Ashmore told his team they played a "monstrosity of a soccer game" and conceded that the Spartans were completely outplayed after the weather delay.

"This is an embarrassment to us," Ashmore said. "Everybody collectively forgot how to play soccer."

Ashmore said junior forward Charlie Wellert did his job offensively, but Sentinel "lacked leadership and communication" and broke down in every area.

Sentinel 0 0 - 0

Flathead 2 2 - 4

Flathead - Luke Fischer (Andrew Gill), 16:00; Gill, 39:00; Cameron Clevidence (Chris Ruby), 76:00; Clevidence (Connor Cavigli).

Shots on Goal - Sentinel 6, Flathead 14.

Corner kicks - Sentinel 2, Flathead 2.

Goalkeeper saves - Sentinel 4 (Nathan Bell), Flathead 3 (Jordan Vaughan).

Total fouls - Sentinel 14, Flathead 13.

Yellow cards - Sentinel 2 (Charlie Wellert and Josh Drapes), Flathead 1 (Ruby).

Red cards - None.

Bravettes 2, Sentinel 0

The Bravettes (2-0, 1-0) played stifling defense, recording their second consecutive shutout to start the season and Ally Krautbauer and Annie Braseth scored second-half goals as Flathead topped a tough Sentinel squad.

Sentinel played more aggressively than Flathead coach Scott Warnell had expected and the teams were tied 0-0 at the half.

Warnell told the Bravettes to make a few adjustments, including releasing the ball more quickly so the Spartans couldn't tie them up. The revised game plan worked as Krautbauer scored in the 49th minute off an assist from junior sensation Meghan O'Connell and Braseth salted the game away with an unassisted goal in stoppage time.

Flathead never had the breathing room it enjoyed against Whitefish on Tuesday when the Bravettes led 4-0 at halftime.

"Sentinel, they're a great team and only being up 1-0 (for most of the game), it doesn't take much for it to be a tie game," Warnell said.

After holding two talented teams scoreless to begin the season, Warnell said his defense is simply "doing what we're telling them to do," adding that assistant coach Cory Wilson does most of the defensive coaching.

Warnell said sophomore midfielder Courtney Porch had an outstanding game in the middle distributing the ball. Flathead unleashed 21 shots on goal compared to 15 for Sentinel. Flathead goalkeeper Danika Pietron made nine saves.

Both Flathead teams play Missoula Big Sky at home on Saturday. Big Sky has a reputation for hard-nosed play which rendered Thursday's gritty win an encouraging sign and important test for the Bravettes.

Sentinel 0 0 - 0

Flathead 0 2 - 2

Flathead - Ally Krautbauer (Meghan O'Connell), 49:00; Annie Braseth, 80:00.

Shots on Goal - Sentinel 15, Flathead 21.

Corner kicks - Sentinel 2, Flathead 5.

Goalkeeper saves - Sentinel 11 (Liz Austin), Flathead 11 (Danika Pietron).

Total fouls - Sentinel 9, Flathead 3.

Yellow cards - None.

Red cards - None.