WHS girls home for Class A state soccer opener

Many of the same faces dot today's lineup card as the Class A state soccer playoffs begin at six different cities around the state.

Seven of the eight schools in last year's boys field are back - Libby, Hamilton, Whitefish, Livingston, Corvallis, Stevensville and Belgrade.

The newcomer is Polson, who replaces Billings Central.

Hamilton owns the best record 10-0-2. The Broncs went 10-0 in Southern A play and led the state in scoring (49 goals) and tied Polson for the state lead in fewest goals allowed (eight).

For the girls, they have five returning schools - Belgrade, Billings Central, Hamilton, Stevensville and Whitefish. Joining the field this year are Bigfork, Columbia Falls and Missoula Loyola. Not returning are Frenchtown, Libby and Livingtston.

Billings Central (12-0-0) has the best record in the girls field, but Columbia Falls, Hamilton and Whitefish all went 10-2-0 and should not be overlooked.

The Whitefish girls led the state in scoring (58 goals) this fall. Billings Central (four) and Hamilton (six) allowed the fewest goals.

Of today's matchups, two in the boys field are the same as last year's first round - Whitefish at Livingston and Libby at Hamilton. Whitefish defeated Livingston 2-1 in Whitefish in that matchup, while Libby dropped Hamilton in Libby 4-2 in overtime.

Whitefish advanced to the state title match, falling 5-1 to Billings Central. It was the first state title for the Rams.

The Billings Central girls downed Libby 4-2 to claim the girls state title a year ago.

Today's playoff winners advance to the semifinal round Oct. 23. Champion ship Saturday is Oct. 30.

Class A State Soccer

Playoff Schedule

Today

Boys

1 p.m. - Whitefish (6-5-1) at Livingston (6-2-4)

2 p.m. - Libby (8-2-2) at Hamilton (10-0-2)

2 p.m. - Stevensville (7-5-0) at Belgrade (7-4-1)

3 p.m. - Corvallis (6-4-2) at Polson (8-3-1)

Girls

11 a.m. - Bigfork (5-7-0) at Billings Central (12-0-0)

Noon - Columbia Falls (10-2-0) at Hamilton (10-2-0)

Noon - Loyola Sacred Heart (5-6-1) at Belgrade (8-4-0)

2 p.m. - Stevensville (5-5-2) and Whitefish (10-2-0)