Glacier girls break through

MISSOULA — The Glacier girls were able to take control of the midfield and put pressure on Missoula Hellgate’s back line, scoring three times in the first half en route to a 4-0 Western AA conference soccer victory on Thursday.

It was the Wolfpack’s first win in nearly two years.

Wolfpack freshman Alysha Smith netted two goals in the contest.

“In practice she’s been lighting it up offensively so we gave her a shot,” Glacier coach Brenden Byrd said.

“She shined.”

Kendall Halliburton also had a big game, throwing the shot on net that led to the first goal, while scoring one and serving up an assist. She had six of the Wolfpack’s 12 shots on goal.

“She just really kept their defense on its heels,” Byrd said.

The last victory for the Glacier girls was a 2-1 triumph over Helena High on Oct. 16, 2010.

“There was a big group hug afterwards,” Byrd said. “They’re excited to get back on pitch again already.”

Glacier 3 1 — 4

Hellgate 0 0 — 0

GLACIER — Own goal (Kendall Halliburton), 11:00; Alysha Smith (Halliburton), 30:00; Smith (Sara Burch), 36:00; Halliburton, 45:00.

Shots — Glacier 12, Hellgate 6; Saves — Glacier (Shaniya Carey 9), Hellgate 8; Fouls — Glacier 6, Hellgate 7; Corner kicks — Glacier 2, Hellgate 1. Cards — none.

Boys

Hellgate 3, Glacier 2

MISSOULA — Glacier goalkeeper Ryker McIntyre had a standout game, blocking two penalty kicks, but the Wolfpack fell short against Hellgate.

Jake Lockwood scored a goal and assisted on another when Hellgate’s keeper bobbled a long shot and Matt Peters knocked it in.

“Jake played a solid game in the middle,” Glacier coach Ryan O’Rourke said. “His goal was an incredible long distance shot. The assist was another great shot on his part.”

The Wolfpack took a 2-1 lead after the goal by Peters, but gave up a tie goal just a minute later. Hellgate’s Macky Scott scored in the 76th minute, breaking away off a through ball from Brendan Herron, roofing the shot for the game winner.

Glacier 1 1 — 2

Hellgate 1 2 — 3

GLACIER — Jake Lockwood, 17:00, Matt Peters (Lockwood) 52:00

HELLGATE — Kyle Higgins, 10:00; Reid Birgenheier, 53:00; Macky Scott (Brendan Herron), 76:00.

Shots — Glacier 10, Hellgate 25; Saves — Glacier 16 (Ryker McIntyre), Hellgate 6 (Chaucer Larson); Corner kicks — Glacier 6, Hellgate 10; Fouls — Glacier 7, Hellgate 4; Yellow Cards — Glacier 3.