AA soccer: Wolfpack tips Braves, 1-0
Glacier may have had tired legs, but it was a head that made the difference in its crosstown soccer match with Flathead at home on Thursday.
The Wolfpack capitalized on its first corner kick of the second half, Colton Becker sending in a header off the curling serve from Brandon Purdy, to secure the only score of the game and the first notch of the Kalispell series.
“Colton finds a way,” Glacier coach Ryan Billiet said. “That’s what he did today. He found just enough space, got a little separation in there. He was the man. He put it away.”
It was the first of a limited number of chances the Wolfpack saw in the second half, but the only one it needed.
“(Flathead) played really well,” Billiet said. “They had the run of play. We were just trying to settle in and see if we could go forward in transition. Especially after we got the one-goal lead. It was a phenomenal game both sides.
“I honestly don’t know how we found the legs to get through this game. Emotions were running so high from the time I saw them. I’m very proud they dug down and found exactly what it took to get the result.”
The game was deadlocked before halftime, each team trading shots but unable to find the back of the net.
Flathead’s Sam Gonzalez just missed a header over the crossbar and Becker was stonewalled by Braves goalie Josh Osborne on a feed that left him 1-on-1 with the Flathead keeper.
After the break, the Braves came out firing.
“We made some adjustments at halftime,” Flathead coach Dan Ferguson said. “We changed the momentum of the game, we outshot them, their goalkeeper made some big saves.”
The Braves dominated possession and increased their attack after surrendering the goal, having nine chances in the final 30 minutes. Junior forward Justin Gardner had the best look, finding the ball three-yards out and attempting a back heel to the corner only to be stopped by Glacier keeper Ryker McIntyre.
“Hats off to Glacier,” Ferguson said. “They did a good job staying compact defensively and not allowing us through.
“(Flathead) worked hard the entire game and we created a lot of opportunities. At the end of the day it’s the scoreline that counts.”
Flathead is back on the pitch on Saturday to host Missoula Hellgate. Glacier is off until Sept. 12-13 for a trip to Helena Capital-Helena High.
Flathead 0 0 — 0
Glacier 0 1 — 1
G — Colton Becker, 53:00
Shots on goal — Flathead 14, Glacier 11. Saves — Glacier 11 (Ryker McIntyre) Flathead 7 (Josh Osborne). Corner kicks — Glacier 3, Flathead 3. Yellow cards — Flathead 2.