Rapids soccer event a big draw

Fans of soccer were the big winners at this event.

But for those who were keeping score ... the Flathead Rapids, an amateur team with many former collegiate players on its roster, managed to tie the University of Lethbridge 2-2 and beat the University of Great Falls 3-0 last Saturday at the first annual Spring Soccer Showcase event at Smith Fields in Whitefish.

In the other matchup, the University of Great Falls downed Lethbridge 2-0.

“It was awesome for the guys (players),” O’Brien Byrd, president of the Flathead Rapids, said.

“But the whole point (of this) was to get our community, and especially our youth, to watch a game at a high level, college level. We wanted to bring that to our soccer community.”

Byrd said about 100 people watched the Rapids first outing with Lethbridge.

“Probably 500 for the third game (Rapids versus Great Falls). It was packed.

“The special part, we saw a ton of kids watching,” he continued.

“After the games, (the players, coaches) mingled with the crowd. It was a hero-like atmosphere ... a lot of things happening.”

Tyler Stanley and Sean Riley scored for the Rapids against Lethbridge at 50 and 61 minutes.

“Two minutes to go (and leading 2-1) we hit the post three times,” Byrd said.

“Then scored an own goal (for the tie).”

Riley scored at 21 and 70 minutes and Ryan Billiet in the 54th for the Rapids versus Great Falls.

“People said it was more or less the best soccer they have ever seen live,” Byrd said.

“Tremendous feedback ... positive ... people wanted to know when the next games are.”

Byrd said the head coaches at Lethbridge and Great Falls both want to do this again next spring.

“We want to bring one more college in like Gonzaga, North Idaho and make it more of a two day, Saturday and Sunday jamboree. You would get three games in over three days. That will make it even bigger and better next year.”