Flathead upends defending champs

Cameron Clevidence scores one goal, assists on another as Flathead defeats Helena 2-1

For the Daily Inter Lake

After a scoreless first half, the Flathead Braves claimed the lead with a pair of goals, then hung on to beat defending-state-champion Helena High 2-1 Saturday at the Kidsports Complex. Forward Cameron Clevidence had a goal and an assist to lead the Braves.

In the second matchup of the doubleheader, the Flathead girls fell to Helena 7-1.

Flathead 2, Helena 1

After playing Helena to a draw in the first half, Flathead struck early after halftime. Two minutes into the second half, Clevidence lofted a high-centering pass from the sidelines right in front of the Flathead bench. Chase Jordt corralled the pass in front of the goal, spun and rattled a shot off the goal post into the net.

"It was an evenly matched game, especially in the first half," said Flathead coach Chris Putzler. "Both defenses did really well. It was 20 minutes into the game before either team had a shot."

Flathead added a second goal midway through the second half. The Braves shut down a Helena scoring opportunity off a corner kick and made a quick transition to offense. Jerrad Merrill cleared the ball to a streaking Clevidence, who outraced the Helena defenders for a break-away goal.

For a moment it looked as though the insurance goal might not count, as the assistant referee briefly lifted his flag to signal offsides. But the A.R. quickly waved off his call as the ball was handled by Clevidence, who wasn't offsides. The Flathead player behind the defense stayed out of the play.

Helena broke the shutout with about five minutes left when Haley Klarich scored on a penalty kick after a Flathead hand ball in the penalty box.

But Helena's comeback hopes were hurt when Garrett Mitchell drew a red card on the same play for kicking a Flathead player on the ground. The Braves held off the shorthanded Bengals the rest of the way for the win.

Goalie Jordan Remington had a solid game for Flathead with seven saves, including a diving stop on a shot that would have tied the match in the second half. But it was the team's all-around performance that most impressed its coach.

"Everybody stepped up and played well," Putzler said. "Everybody contributed. I think that's important."

Helena 0 1 - 1

Flathead 0 2 - 2

Helena - Haley Klarich (75:00)

Flathead - Chase Jordt (Cameron Clevidence), 42:00, Clevidence (Jerrad Merrill), 65:00

Shots on goal - Helena 8, Flathead 6

Corner kicks - Helena 4, Flathead, 3

Goalie saves - Helena 1 (Riley Sheldon), Flathead 7 (Jordan Remington),

Fouls - Helena 6, Flathead 9

Cards - Helena 1, Flathead 1

Helena 7, Flathead 1

A young Flathead girls' team played Helena tough in the first half, but fell after a barrage of Bengal shots after halftime.

Flathead goalie Karli Kusler kept the Bravettes close with strong play, but defensive breakdowns allowed Helena to pepper the net late in the game with a number of point-blank shots on goal.

Flathead coach Scott Warnell said the Bravettes will need to improve their defensive play for matches against Missoula Sentinel and Glacier this week.

"We need to make sure that our defenders stay goal side," Warnell said.

Flathead was disorganized on offense as well. While the Bravettes threatened on a handful of early scoring opportunities, their lone goal came late in the game. Amryn Ayres converted a penalty kick after a Helena player was called for a push in the penalty box.

Flathead needs to step up, and the Bravettes' coach thinks they can.

"We need to start putting passes together, which this team is capable of doing," Warnell said.

Helena 2 5 - 7

Flathead 0 1 - 1

Helena - Taylor Edwards (16:00), Lauren Brophy (36:00), Demi Wignot (48:00), Edwards (56:00), Edwards (63:00), Brophy (67:00), Brophy (79:00)

Flathead - Amryn Ayres (74:00)

Shots on goal - Helena 27, Flathead 12

Corner kicks - Helena 2, Flathead, 2

Goalie saves - Helena 11 (Poe Hildreth), Flathead 14 (Karli Kusler)

Fouls - Helena 3, Flathead 4

Cards - Helena 1