Glacier boys trip Flathead

Howell scores twice for Wolfpack

The rivalry is on.

After suffering a pair of blowout losses to its crosstown rivals last season, Glacier couldn't be blamed if the Wolfpack was just looking to keep it respectable.

Considering it had yet to score a goal versus Flathead, respectable would have been a major step in the right direction.

Well, Glacier did respectable one better Thursday night at Legends Stadium. Down 1-0 at halftime, the Wolfpack rode a pair of goals by forward Ron Howell to a 2-1 win - the first ever for a Glacier soccer team against Flathead.

"It wasn't always the prettiest game, but it was hard fought," said Glacier coach Ryan O'Rourke. "It's nice to get the win after that."

The way his young, second-year squad won was especially gratifying for the Glacier coach.

"They played really well," O'Rourke said. "I think it showed a lot of composure to be down at half and comeback and score two goals in the second half."

Howell was savoring the win moments after the game.

"It feels great," Howell said. "In a rivalry game it feels so good to score twice."

Howell's first goal came midway through the second half. Glacier forward Jared Rice came out of a scrum with the ball on the Flathead end of the field. He passed to Evan McLellan at the top of the penalty box, who tapped the ball to Howard for the score.

The same trio teamed up for the game winner with about 10 minutes left in the game. Rice headed a pass to McLellan, who was racing down the left sideline. McLellan handled the ball in stride and made a centering pass to Howell at the top of the penalty box. Howell dribbled once, then fired the game winner past diving goalie Jordan Remington.

Flathead opened the scoring when Cameron Clevidence hit Jesse Bennett with a pass in front of the Wolfpack goal. Bennett took care of the rest to give the Braves the early lead.

From that point, defense dominated the game until Howell's heroics.

Flathead coach Chris Putzler said the Brave squad started strong, but may have lost its edge when they took that early lead.

"We weren't matching that intensity they brought after we scored that first goal," Putzler said. "I think our first goal sparked Glacier."

Both teams are now 3-3 on the season.

Flathead 1 0 - 1

Glacier 0 2 - 2

Flathead - Jesse Bennett 25:00 (Cameron Clevidence)

Glacier - Ron Howell 56:00 (Evan McLellan), Howell 71:00 (McLellan)

Shots on goal - Flathead 12, Glacier 10

Corner Kicks - Flathead 4, Glacier 5

Goalie saves - Flathead 6 (Jordan Remington), Glacier 3 (Kasey Haugan)

Fouls - Flathead 9 Glacier 6

Cards - Flathead 0, Glacier 0