CMR knocks off defending state champs Hellgate
Great Falls C.M. Russell ousted defending champion Missoula Hellgate from the Class AA state boys soccer tournament winners’ bracket with a 2-1 win Thursday at Kidsports Complex.
Hellgate (10-3-1) controlled most of the possession and had a flurry of chances down the stretch, but CMR goalkeeper Taylor Koth punched a shot by Hellgate’s Yacir Allen over the crossbar in the final minute to preserve the Rustlers’ one-goal lead.
“The only thing I could think about was not letting it in the net,” Koth said. “Craziest game by far I’ve ever played, but I’m proud we got a win.”
Despite losing the battle for possession, CMR (10-3-1) took advantage of its opportunities, scoring off a corner kick in the first half and on a counter-attack in the second. Hellgate answered with a 61st-minute goal that cut its deficit to one, and the Rustlers’ defense survived some close calls to hold on to the win.
“I couldn’t help but think that the offense did their part, now the defense has got to hold up their end of the bargain,” CMR center back Bryan Marinaccio said. “We had a couple sketchy moments, but we held up.”
CMR’s first goal came in the 27th minute when the Rustlers played a short corner to Hunter Smith. Smith played a cross near the goal line and Ben Yturri was on the other end to tap the ball in from less than a yard out.
CMR had a chance to extend its lead when it was awarded a penalty kick in the 33rd minute, but Hellgate goalkeeper Chaucer Larson made a diving save to stop Austin Schreder.
Hellgate’s offense surged in the second half, earning two corner kicks and putting four shots on frame in the first 15 minutes, but Schreder struck on a counter-attack up the left flank to put the Rustlers ahead 2-0.
“Our whole plan the entire game was just to keep counter-attacking,” CMR coach Joel Marinaccio said. “Watching (Hellgate) play in their playoff game against Flathead, we knew their backs came up and attack a lot. We knew they only left one back all the time, so we wanted to get on a quick counter.”
Six minutes later, Hellgate’s Reid Birgenheier made a run through the middle of the field, dribbled around a CMR defender and fired into the net from the edge of the 18-yard box.
Hellgate pushed for an equalizer the last 15 minutes. Allen put a shot on frame from 35 yards, but it was directly at Koth. Kyle Higgins missed wide from 12 yards and Macky Scott headed a corner wide from 6 yards.
Hellgate’s pressure was so airtight, the Rustlers were forced to put all 11 players behind the ball in attempt to preserve their lead.
“Man they came with numbers that entire last 15 minutes and we just couldn’t get it out calmly,” coach Marinaccio said.
CMR defender Braden Murphy headed away a free kick in the 80th minute before Koth made his game-saving stop on Allen to secure the victory.
“After I heard the crowd erupt, emotions were flying, it was crazy,” Koth said. “I’m completely lost for words right now.”
Bryan Marinaccio said it was a great feeling to knock out the defending state champs.
“Honestly, looking at the back of their coats as they walked over, it was on my mind. Playing the defending state champions and beating them was a great feeling. They’re a great team and it was close.”
CMR plays Bozeman in a semifinal match today at 1:30 p.m.
Hellgate will take on Missoula Sentinel in a consolation match today at 11 a.m.
Great Falls CMR 1 1 — 2
Missoula Hellgate 0 1 — 1
CMR - Ben Yturri (assist Hunter Smith), 27:00
CMR - Austin Schreder (assist Ryan Nommenson), 55:00
Hel - Reid Birgenheier, 61:00
Shots - CMR 8, Hellgate 15. Saves - CMR 13 (Taylor Koth), Hellgate 4 (Chaucer Larson). Yellow cards - CMR 1, Hellgate 1. Red cards - none.
Bozeman 4,
Missoula Sentinel 1
Bozeman’s John Wells scored a hat trick as the Hawks dropped underdog Sentinel in a first round match.
Bozeman plays CMR in the semifinals today at 1:30 p.m. Sentinel will face crosstown rival Hellgate in a 11 a.m. consolation match.
Bozeman 3 1 — 4
Missoula Sentinel 1 0 — 1
Boz - John Wells, 15:00
Boz - Wells, 20:00
Sen - Erik Deiwert, 25:00
Boz - Wells, 30:00
Boz - Kyle Vanderwall, 54:00
Shots - Bozeman 11, Sentinel 6. Saves - Not available. Yellow cards - none. Red cards - none.
Billings Senior 2 (4), Missoula Big Sky 2 (2)
Senior edged Big Sky 4-2 in a penalty kick shootout to secure a spot in today’s semifinals.
Mason Luse scored twice in regulation for Senior. Big Sky’s Jan Heinzer scored an equalizer in the 67th minute to force overtime.
Senior plays Helena High today at 1:30 p.m. Big Sky will play a consolation match against Billings West at 11 a.m.
Missoula Big Sky 1 1 — 2 (2)
Billings Senior 2 0 — 2 (4)
Senior - Mason Luse, 4:00
Big Sky - Miguel Gutierrez, 18:00
Senior - Luse, 28:00
Big Sky - Jan Heinzer, 67:00
Penalty shootout
Big Sky - Eric Nelson (miss), Dana Kowachek (goal), Miguel Gutierrez (miss), Alex Kowachek (goal), Tristan Powers (miss), Jan Heinzer (miss)
Senior - Mason Luse (goal), Blake Chase (miss), Colin Gregory (goal), Jake Woodring (goal), Sage D’Ambrosia (miss), Clay Callihan (goal)
Shots - Big Sky 13, Senior 15. Saves - Big Sky 11 (Nathan Mahler), Senior 9 (Connor English). Yellow cards - Senior 2. Red cards - none.
Helena High 1 (4), Billings West 1 (3)
Helena topped West 4-3 in a penalty kick shootout to advance to the semifinals.
Donovon Luce scored West’s only goal in regulation, while Helena’s Tanner Staley netted the only goal for the Bengals.
Helena plays Senior at 1:30 p.m. today. West will take on Big Sky in a consolation match at 11 a.m.
Helena High 0 1 — 1 (4)
Billings West 1 0 — 1 (3)
West - Donovon Luce, time not available
Hel - Tanner Staley, 17:00
Shots - Helena 11, West 9. Saves - Helena 3 (Jaden Maharg), West 4 (Cole Catlin). Yellow cards - Helena 1, West 2. Red cards - none.