Boys soccer: Wright boots Glacier to state soccer tournament in penalties

Ben Wright gets nervous in penalty kicks.

But when he and his teammates were figuring out an order to take the penalties that would determine if his high school career would or would not continue, the senior decided to take one for the team.

And he put it in the back of the net.

Wright slotted a ball past Helena Capital keeper Al Ibsen in the fifth round of penalty kicks to send Glacier on to Billings for the Class AA state tournament with a win over the Bruins in a match that was tied 2-2 after 100 minutes and ended with the Wolfpack ahead 4-3 on penalties.

“It was really nerve-wracking, so I just took some deep breaths and said ‘we’re going to state,’” Wright said of his winning kick.

“Brady (Schultz) and Conner (Heil) were nervous like me and I didn’t want to put the stress on them so I stepped up and went last.”

Both teams failed on their first penalties, even after Glacier’s Colton Becker given two chances because Ibsen came off the line early to stop his initial attempt.

Each team made the next three — including Heil and Schultz kicking third and fourth, respectively — before Bryce Blossom missed wide to set the stage for Wright.

“When everyone hugged me (after the goal) I felt like I was floating,” Wright said. “I felt like I was in a different world.”

The win put the Wolfpack past a pesky Capital team that twice erased Glacier leads. The Bruins had lost each of the two regular season matches against Glacier, including a 4-2 setback in the final match of the regular season just a week ago.

“We knew it wasn’t going to be an easy road,” Glacier coach Ryan Billiet said.

“Playing a team a third time in a season, it gets difficult. (Capital’s) turned that team around.”

Billiet gave his team total control over the order of penalties, trusting seniors Becker and Wright, and he was rewarded for his confidence.

“It’s about them,” he said. “They’re the ones who should decide who is ready at that point, mentally, to step up to the line and put one away.”

Glacier (7-5-1) nearly ended the match in the first overtime period when Becker lobbed a direct kick into the penalty box that Micah Reason chipped on from point blank range, but right into the belly of Ibsen.

The Wolfpack dominated both overtime periods, outshooting Capital (3-9-2) 5-1 and earning six corner kicks in the final 20 minutes. Ibsen finished the match with 13 saves.

Wright scored the first Wolfpack goal in the 27th minute but was answered five minutes later by Jacob Jensen. Reason put Glacier back in front in the 39th minute on a sliding blast from the top of the box, but again Jensen answered, this time early in the second half.

Glacier moves on to face defending state champion Bozeman on Thursday in Billings. The Wolfpack has never finished in the top three in state tournament, earning its highest ever finish (4th place) a year ago.

Helena Capital 1 1 0 0 — 2

Glacier 2 0 0 0 — 2

Glacier wins 4-3 in penalty kicks

GLA — Ben Wright (Tyler Combs), 27:00

CAP — Jacob Jensen (Gavin Carlson), 32:00

GLA — Micah Reason (Colton Becker), 39:00

CAP — Jensen (unassisted), 52:00

Penalty kicks — Capital 3 (Colin Patterson NG, Zach Brandt G, , William Stukaloff G, Kaysen Spencer G, Bryce Blossom NG); Glacier 4 (Becker NG, Reason G, Conner Heil G, Brady Schultz G, Wright G).

Shots on goal — Capital 8, Glacier 16. Saves — Capital 13 (Al Ibsen), Glacier 6 (Ryker McIntyre). Corner kicks — Capital 2, Glacier 14. Fouls — Capital 13, Glacier 14. Cards — Yellow: Glacier 1.