Class AA soccer quests begin

GREG SCHINDLER/Daily Inter Lake

Three Kalispell soccer teams begin Class AA state tournament play today in Helena - and each has something to prove.

The undefeated Flathead Bravettes (8-0-4), who open against Billings West (8-4), look to assert themselves as state contenders while improving upon recent postseason results.

The two-time defending state champion Braves (9-4) begin against Bozeman as an incredibly dangerous No. 3 seed, eager to prove they are still the class of Class AA.

Glacier's girls (3-9-1) surged late in their inaugural season before upending Missoula Sentinel in last week's play-in game, announcing their early arrival among the state's powers. They open against Bozeman.

The Bravettes placed third in Helena last year after finishing fourth in 2005. That 2005 team also entered the tournament as an unbeaten No. 1 seed before falling to Billings West in the first round.

"Really, one (tournament) doesn't have to have anything to do with the next, but we would love to just keep on climbing," Bravettes coach Scott Warnell said. "We'd love to be playing in that state championship game this year."

The Bravettes have the fire-power to get there, including forwards Meghan O'Connell and Heidi Windauer. Goalkeeper Danika Pietron plays behind an outstanding defense, which includes Kelsie Norwood and Jordan Gentry.

The Bravettes are led by nine seniors, giving them the experience and talent to vie for their second state title, and first since 1993. Their leadership has been evident as they've worked to stay sharp since their Oct. 11 season finale.

"You always run that risk of having a lull, but I felt that we had a good week and a half of practice," Warnell said. "The girls were able to keep their intensity up, so I don't feel like we're behind the curve ball at all coming into state."

It will be deja vu for Flathead's boys as the Braves edged the Hawks in last fall's championship game. The Braves' five titles already lead the state, and they have a chance to become Class AA's first boys' team to win three straight state crowns since Sentinel did so from 1991-93.

Braves goalkeeper Jordan Vaughan led a brilliant defensive effort in last year's final shootout, and coach Eric Sawtelle expects an intense, physical rematch today.

"The first game of the playoffs, emotions are running high," Sawtelle said. "It's going to be very physical, and we're just going to have to be focused, remain positive and look for those opportunities to finish."

Finishing has been no problem for Luke Fischer, who leads Flathead and Western AA with 19 goals.

Last season was an emotional roller coaster for the Braves, and they rode it to a thrilling finish. Though they took third in conference this year, they finished just two points behind champion Helena High in the standings.

"I think that we have a lot of confidence in our ability to come out and beat anybody," Sawtelle said. "We're not really thinking about our seed or who we're playing against. We feel like if we come out and play our game, we'll have success."

With 12 seniors, the Braves shouldn't have trouble staying poised.

"Soccer is one of those emotional games, and momentum can play a big role in the outcome of the game, so we're really looking forward to step out on the field with a strong presence (today)," Sawtelle said.

The young Wolfpack may be a relative unknown throughout the state, but Glacier's players learned plenty about themselves this fall, battling early opponents toe-to-toe before winning or tying half of their last six games.

"We've been working on a lot of different things all season, and they kind of came together (over the last month)," Glacier coach Paul Holmgren said. "The girls started having a lot of belief in themselves. The maturity level has greatly increased with the girls."

Earning a state berth was one of the Wolfpack's goals this season, and Holmgren said the team is enjoying the whole experience.

If Glacier's players feel like they belong at state, it's because many of them have been there before. Maddey Frey, Courtney Porch, Molly Benedetto, Nicole Hall and Skyler St. Onge were in Helena last fall as Bravettes.

"I don't think we're going to be taken back or wide eyed at all," Holmgren said. "I think the girls are confident and relaxed. They know it's not going to be easy, but they're not going to roll over for anybody."