Libby boys state soccer champs

LIBBY - There was no need for an overtime shootout this time.

In front of a raucous home crowd at Logger Stadium, the Libby Loggers boys soccer team won the Class A state championship thanks to two goals and a defensive shutout against Belgrade, earning the program's second title in three years.

"It's thrilling to win. I'm thrilled for the boys, they worked hard," Libby third-year coach Charlie Webster said. "This group of boys, it's probably a dream come true for them. For me as a coach, it's a dream come true to have 13 great seniors."

Cree Maloney scored the game's first goal just before intermission off a shared assist from James Hare and Elias Lapka. Later in the second half, Edson Vences took an assist from Crawford Dinning to score the final goal of the season.

Libby won the state title in a 2008 shootout with Billings Central. In this year's playoffs, the Loggers survived a 3-1 overtime shootout in the opening round followed by a 1-0 victory against Livingston.

"We played very intelligent defense and dominated the game," Webster said. "The first half was all Libby, but to Belgrade's credit, they would not go away. They left everything out on the field today."

The Loggers finish the season 11-2-2.

"Libby came out to support their local soccer

team, it was one of the largest crowds I've ever seen for a soccer game in the state," Webster said.

"It was one of their better games of the year," the coach said of the team. "I'm going to miss (those seniors)."

Belgrade 0 0 - 0

Libby 1 1 - 2

L - Cree Maloney (James Hare, Elias Lapka), 39:00

L - Edson Vences (Crawford Dinning), 60:00

Shots on goal - Belgrade 2, Libby 7; Goalie saves - Belgrade 4 (Jordan Malarchick), Libby 2 (David Brooks); Corner kicks - Belgrade 1, Libby 6; Fouls - Belgrade 12, Libby 20; Cards - Belgrade, yellow; Libby, yellow.