Flathead stuns Helena in shootout
HELENA — The seventh-seeded Flathead Braves have shocked the state of Montana.
Despite being outscored 6-1 in two regular season meetings against the Helena Bengals, the Braves (4-11), played through two scoreless periods of extra time before beating Helena 4-2 in penalty kicks for the playoff victory to advance to the state tournament next week in Great Falls
“We’re going to state,” Braves coach Dan Ferguson said.
“I’m absolutely thrilled to have another week with this team.”
Second-seeded Helena (7-5-3) came out controlling the possession of the first half, peppering Flathead goalkeeper Josh Osborne, but the Braves held the Bengals off the board.
It was Braves junior midfielder Jace Darrow that scored the first goal of the game. From nearly 20-yards out, Darrow ripped a shot that deflected off Helena keeper Josh Noem and into the net.
The Braves took the 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Adversity struck in the form of two Bengal goals in the second half, but Flathead notched the equalizer off the head of Sam Clain.
Junior forward Sam Gonzalez ripped a corner kick into the box and Clain, a junior midfielder, headed it into the net for his first goal of the season.
Then came extra time.
“It was back and forth. It was a dog fight in extra time,” Ferguson said.
“They created chances. We created chances. Both keepers made some huge saves.”
In the end, Osborne came up with a huge save, and Flathead made all four of its penalty kicks for the monumental victory.
“We’ve been working on penalties after practice for the last two weeks because we knew we may have to win a game this late in the season on penalties,” Ferguson said.
“It makes me very proud. Last year we didn’t make a single penalty all season. It was very impressive.”
Miles Terry, Carter Warnell, Clarin and Darrow all converted their crucial kicks while the keeper Osborne made a save to deny Helena the win.
Flathead 1 1 0 0 — 2
Helena 0 2 0 0 — 2
FLATHEAD — Jace Darrow, 25:00; Sam Clarin (Sam Gonzalez), 69:00
HELENA — Colin Habeck, 57:00; Payton Biegler (Tyzer Smith), 59:00
Shootout
Flathead 4, Helena 2
FLATHEAD — Miles Terry, Carter Warnell, Clarin, Darrow
HELENA — Andrew Frank, Lucas Ballantyne
Shots on goal - Flat 8, HHS 9; Corner kicks - Flat 2, HHS 3; Saves - Flat (Josh Osborne 6), HHS (Josh Noem, E.J. Lowney 5).