Penrod, Ozegovich score goals to lead Flathead past Hellgate in soccer

Flathead coach Scott Warnell said his team got off to a slow start Thursday.

But the Bravettes quickly heated up from there, topping Missoula Hellgate 2-0 in the Western AA girls soccer opener for both schools.

Flathead started with a goal in the 43rd minute by Marti Penrod and netted another on a free kick by Malia Ozegovich in the 46th minute.

Penrod was assisted by Brittany Earnest.

"Our defense just stepped up and kept the ball out of the back of the net," Warnell said.

Flathead's junior goalie Payton Pietron made seven saves.

"It was a great way to start (the season)," Warnell said.

"We weren't exactly sure what to expect going into it."

Flathead led in shots on goal, 14-7, and corner kicks, 4-0.

Hellgate 0 0 - 0

Flathead 2 0 - 2

Flathead - Marti Penrod (Brittany Earnest) 43:00, Malia Ozegovich, 46:00

Shots on goals - Hellgate 7, Flathead 14

Goalie saves - Hellgate 5 (Cara Guderian), Flathead 14 (Payton Pietron)

Corner kicks - Hellgate 0, Flathead 4

Fouls - Hellgate 7, Flathead 13

Cards - Flathead, 1 yellow

Boys

Hellgate 8, Flathead 0

The Braves started their season with a humbling loss to Missoula Hellgate.

Flathead coach Chris Putzler said he hopes his team can learn from the outing. He asked his players to return to practice today with ideas for improvement.

"They played as hard as they could," Putzler said of his team.

"We're still relatively young by comparison."

Hellgate started nine seniors and their experience showed.

"They're just really solid," he said. "They have a lot of speed and a lot of great ball-handlers.

"This is one we can just learn from and move on."

Garrett Leach and Casey Higgins scored two goals each. Leach also had two assists.

Hellgate scored five times in the final half.

Hellgate 3 5 - 8

Flathead 0 0 - 0

MISSOULA Hellgate - Kellen McNamara (Kyle Higgins), 2:00; Casey Higgins (McNamara), 4:00; K. Higgins (Garrett Leach), 30:00; Charlie Scheel (McNamara), 52:00; C. Higgins (McNamara), 55:00; Leach (penalty kick), 58:00; Leach, 73:00; Grant Woody (Leach), 75:00

Shots - Hellgate 23, Flathead 6

Saves - Hellgate 2 (Lucas Wittkopp 2)

Flathead 12 (Chris Cronk 12)

Corner kicks - Hellgate 4, Flathead 0

Total fouls - Hellgate 7, Flathead 5

Cards - Hellgate 1 yellow