Glacier falls short vs. Helena

Wolfpack swept in soccer home opener

Western AA's newcomers gave their veteran foes more than a handful, but their bids for mild upsets fell just short in their first home matches.

The Glacier High School soccer teams dropped a doubleheader Saturday to Helena High at Kidsports Complex. Each game was decided by one goal as both Wolfpack squads moved to 1-2 in their inaugural seasons.

The Bengals rallied past the Wolfpack for a gritty 2-1 victory before the Lady Bengals held off Glacier 1-0.

Glacier visits Missoula Hellgate on Tuesday in what promises to be another stiff challenge. The boys play at 3 p.m., followed by the girls at 5.

Bengals 2, Wolfpack 1

The Wolfpack had the luxury of an early lead, but couldn't withstand Helena's second-half onslaught.

Junior center midfielder Jared Rice connected on a penalty kick to put the Wolfpack out front in the 12th minute.

Glacier maintained its advantage until the 50th minute when Jake Staley tucked a shot inside the far post. A draw appeared certain until Ryan Fonk's header, stemming from Malcolm Gilbert's cross, found the net with three minutes left in regulation.

The Bengals, who boast 11 seniors and five juniors, pushed their perfect record to 4-0 despite the Wolfpack's valiant defensive effort.

"I'm really proud of these guys," Glacier coach Ryan O'Rourke said. "We came out, played them tough for the entire length of the game. It took a last-minute goal for them to even beat us."

Glacier was out-shot 17-4, but stayed in the game largely because of goalkeeper Kasey Haugan's 12 saves.

"It's nice to have a guy like him back in goal," O'Rourke said. "In the last two games he's really improved a lot, too, because he's really taking charge back there, which helps us immensely."

Fatigue eventually became a factor for both teams as the Bengals battled defending state champion Flathead on Friday night, and Glacier, which has little depth and no seniors, played with few reserves on a warm day.

"Basically, we don't have the subs out there, so we were just playing all 80 minutes with limited numbers," Rice said. "We were just getting tired out there. I think that's how they got their goals - just us being tired."

According to O'Rourke, Chazz Roberts, Bryan Edwards and Brad Holmgren were among Glacier's stalwarts who stood out in a very physical game. The teams committed 16 fouls, including 12 by Helena, which also drew three yellow cards.

"They're starting to understand the level of physical play that it takes to do this, which is something you can't really teach in practice, especially when you're practicing against sophomores," O'Rourke said.

The big, talented Bengals should contend for the Class AA state title this fall, and coach Carl Straub knows every victory will help their cause - even those that lack style points.

"It wasn't pretty, but we got the job done," Straub said. "I just talked to these guys about overcoming adversity. We certainly got our share of that this weekend, and they did an excellent job overcoming it."

Rice, who played for Flathead's title team last fall, said his new squad continues to blossom into a force of its own.

"Compared with how we started the season, we've improved so much already - just getting used to the pace and the physical-ness of it," he said. "I think we've got a chance of going state."

Helena 0 2 - 2

Glacier 1 0 - 1

HELENA - Jake Staley, 50:00; Ryan Fonk (Malcolm Gilbert), 77:00

GLACIER - Jared Rice (penalty kick), 12:00

Shots on goal - Hel. 17, Gla. 4

Corner kicks - Hel. 2, Gla. 1

Goalie saves - Hel. NA (Lander Jewett), Gla. 12 (Kasey Haugan)

Fouls - Hel. 12, Gla. 4

Cards - Hel. 3 (yellow), Gla. 0

Lady Bengals 1,

Wolfpack 0

Lights-out defense couldn't save Glacier.

Demi Wignot gave Helena all the offense it needed, collecting a first-half pass from Megan Maddio before tapping it inside the right post.

Wolfpack goalkeeper Kayla Byle notched 13 saves as the Lady Bengals (2-1-1) out-shot Glacier 22-6. Though Byle leaped and dove to smother several shots, her teammates made her job easier by clogging lanes and limiting Helena's direct looks.

"Molly Benedetto and Morgan Zauner both had awesome games today in the defense," Glacier coach Paul Holmgren said. "We gave up a lot of shots, but we didn't give up a lot of quality shots."

Byle, who marveled at Benedetto's performance, didn't mind facing shot after shot.

"I like it just because I have more opportunities to save them - hopefully," she said.

The Wolfpack managed six shots on target in a match that was just as tight as Helena coach Jim Dushin anticipated.

"We heard that (Glacier has) a good keeper and a solid defense, so we kind of expected it," he said. "We had tons of quality opportunities, we just couldn't seem to put anything in the net. But, overall, I'm pretty happy with how we played."

Holmgren was more than satisfied with his team's execution.

"I was extremely pleased with the way the ladies played today," he said. "They gave (the Lady Bengals) a game. We moved the ball much better. They're starting to understand what we're looking for as coaches."

Holmgren said the Wolfpack, which scored three goals in a season-opening win at Missoula Big Sky, will continue to work on anticipating transitions and capitalizing on scoring chances.

Glacier's Maddey Frey, who pressured Helena throughout the second half, appeared to score on a clean breakaway in the 48th minute, but the Wolfpack was ruled offside.

"I don't feel like they're discouraged at all," Holmgren said. "We felt we were in the game the whole time and they were just waiting for our points to come. The girls are really up on themselves, and I think they should be."

Helena 1 0 - 1

Glacier 0 0 - 0

HELENA - Demi Wignot (Megan Maddio), 24:00

Shots on goal - Hel. 22, Gla. 6

Corner kicks - Hel. 7, Gla. 3

Goalie saves - Hel. 4 (Kara Krantz), Gla. 13 (Kayla Byle)

Fouls - Hel. 4, Gla. 5

Cards - Hel. 0, Gla. 1 (yellow)