Flathead claims sweep

By GREG SCHINDLER

The Daily Inter Lake

In the first edition of Kalispell's Class AA boys' soccer rivalry, the Braves' vast experience and staggering skill proved insurmountable.

Flathead pulled away from Glacier on Tuesday for a 6-0 Western AA victory in the programs' inaugural match.

The Wolfpack hung tight through a gritty first half, but the defending state champion Braves seized control before icing the contest with an explosive second half.

Brian Ham and Luke Fischer scored first-half goals, thanks to assists by Chresten Knaff and Chris Ruby. Chase Jordt added a pair of second-half goals, while Connor Cavigli and Brendan Passmore scored once apiece.

It was the third straight triumph for surging Flathead (4-2), which began the season 1-2.

"I think we're starting to build some confidence, and our speed of play is picking up," Braves coach Eric Sawtelle said. "I think our passing was really good, and that opened up some really good opportunities. We're starting to switch the field much better."

Many of the teams' athletes grew up playing with one another, including the Wolfpack's Jared Rice, who helped the Braves to last fall's title. Cavigli, a senior, took the field opposite his freshman brother Ian.

Both squads did their best to focus on the task at hand.

"I think that we came out just like we do for every game," Sawtelle said. "We came out with the intensity we needed to win. Obviously, these boys are all good friends, and it was a good, clean game."

Glacier slipped to 1-5 in its first season, but Wolfpack coach Ryan O'Rourke, who was a Flathead varsity assistant last year, saw plenty to be pleased with, especially in the first 40 minutes.

"We played pretty well," he said. "Again, a few letdowns cost us in the goal department. I think you see a lot of the issue being the age of the team. To play a full game with 100 percent focus is something they're all still learning, and you see those mistakes crop up."

According to O'Rourke, Glacier sweeper Seth Bumgarner played an excellent first half, while stopper Bryan Edwards was a standout, blue-collar performer.

But Flathead's defense, led by goalkeeper Jordan Vaughan, who notched five saves, was nearly perfect.

"I think we're starting to get better organized in the back," Sawtelle said. "We're able to call out our marks a little bit and track the midfield."

It was a happy 18th birthday for Flathead sweeper Brendan Passmore, who celebrated with a goal.

"I've never had a game on my birthday, so getting out of sweeper and actually scoring is a pretty big deal," Passmore said.

"It's definitely a bonus. When I get a goal I can kind of have a little more creativity in my play."

The Braves out-shot the Wolfpack, which has no seniors and only four juniors, 21-7, leaving O'Rourke excited for the teams' future encounters.

"It's going to be great to be able to come with a team that has a little bit more experience," he said. "These guys are getting (experience) this year, so next year it's going to be on another level."

Flathead 2 4 - 6

Glacier 0 0 - 0

FLATHEAD - Brian Ham (Chresten Knaff), 13:00; Luke Fischer (Chris Ruby), 25:00; Connor Cavigli (Knaff), 58:00; Chase Jordt (Cavigli), 64:00; Brendan Passmore (Ham), 72:00; Jordt, 78:00

Shots on goal - FHS 21, Gla. 7

Corner kicks - FHS 5, Gla. 0

Goalie saves - FHS 5 (Jordan Vaughan), Gla. 15 (Kasey Haugan)

Fouls - FHS 15, Gla. 3

Cards - FHS 1 (yellow), Gla. 0

Bravettes 7, Wolfpack 2

Intermittent showers doused the field at Kidsports Complex and the Bravettes and Wolfpack flooded the scoreboard.

Flathead's Meghan O'Connell scored five times in a thrilling Western AA game that featured four goals in the first 12 minutes and 42 total shots.

O'Connell scored two goals in the first half as Flathead built a 3-1 lead. She added three more after the break to help the Bravettes remain undefeated at 3-0-3.

O'Connell scored in the fourth minute before Heidi Windauer made it 2-0 just four minutes later, but Glacier's Sydney Sharaf cut the lead to 2-1 in the 10th minute, signaling that the Wolfpack (1-5) was ready to tussle with the state's elite.

Ally Krautbauer, who twice assisted O'Connell, rounded out the Bravettes' scoring, while Molly Benedetto's direct kick drew Glacier within 4-2 in the 55th minute.

The Bravettes out-shot the Wolfpack 28-14 in a crisp, high-tempo contest.

"You've got so much adrenaline pumping through you because it's the first time we've ever had a real cross-town rivalry," O'Connell said.

"We knew that (the Wolfpack) were a young team, and lots of pressure always gets any defense, so we just put lots of pressure on. I think this is the best game we've had with our passing."

The offensive efficiency was refreshing for the Bravettes, whose last match was a scoreless tie at Missoula Sentinel.

"It's always good when you can put seven goals in and get people involved," Flathead coach Scott Warnell said.

"Basically, we just wanted to keep the pressure on them and take (the ball) down the outside and cross it into the middle."

The Wolfpack slid to 1-5, but continued its dramatic offensive improvement.

"They're doing the things that we're working on in practice," said Glacier coach Paul Holmgren, who coached Flathead's freshmen last fall. "We still have some areas to work on … but it's coming. We're learning how to put the ball in the net, and we had some great shots."

Niki Kropp anchored Flathead's defense, making life easier for goalkeeper Danika Pietron, who tallied seven saves.

Glacier keeper Kayle Byle smothered 16 shots as the Wolfpack remained within three goals until the 78th minute.

"I thought the intensity was high and the enthusiasm was high," Holmgren said. "It was an exciting game. The first half was really intense from our perspective. I thought we were right there."

According to Warnell, Tuesday's spirited clash was just a hint of the exciting battles to come.

"It's going to be a big rivalry for as long as the two schools are here," he said.

Flathead 3 4 - 7

Glacier 1 1 - 2

FLATHEAD - Meghan O'Connell, (Ally Krautbauer) 4:00; Heidi Windauer (O'Connell), 8:00; O'Connell (Krautbauer), 12:00; O'Connell (Windauer), 43:00; O'Connell, 71:00; Krautbauer (O'Connell), 78:00; O'Connell, 79:00

GLACIER - Sydney Sharaf (Jenna Mace), 10:00; Molly Benedetto (direct kick), 55:00

Shots on goal - FHS 28, Gla. 14

Corner kicks - FHS 2, Gla. 2

Goalie saves - FHS 7 (Danika Pietron), Gla. 16 (Kayla Byle)

Fouls - FHS 2, Gla. 6

Cards - None