Girls soccer: Bravettes edge Wolfpack, 2-1
Flathead’s game-winning goal in its 2-1 girls soccer crosstown win over Glacier felt inevitable during a blustery first half that saw the Bravettes get quite a few one-on-one looks at a shot on goal.
The style in which the Bravettes went ahead was unique.
Flathead senior forward Jaymee Siler used the high winds blowing toward the Glacier goal to loft a corner kick toward the far post, curling in an olímpico goal to give the Bravettes a 2-1 lead in the 26th minute at Kidsports Complex on Thursday afternoon.
It was the second tally for Flathead in eight minutes, as sophomore striker Clara Vandenbosch collected a deflected shot from teammate Stephanie Wilson and got the Bravettes on the board with a strike in the 18th minute.
“It was bound to happen,” Bravettes coach Cory Wilson said.
“We had a couple of near misses. It was great to see a sophomore, Clara Vandenbosch, get us on the scoresheet. Then, Jaymee Siler had a great corner.
“We had a lot of younger kids step up and play dangerous. That was fun to see today.”
Glacier took the lead almost immediately in the contest, scoring in the first minute as Alysha Smith lofted a throw in toward the goal and over a Flathead defender to the waiting feet of Cadie Williams, who put the Wolfpack up 1-0 just a few seconds into play.
The Wolfpack wasn’t able to convert on its chances late, however, with a second goal from Williams for an onsides call and a bobble by the Flathead keeper at the line called in favor of the Bravettes.
“It’s one of those battles,” Glacier coach Brenden Byrd said.
“When you’re battling Stephanie Wilson in the middle, the wind in their favor the whole first half, it tired us out pretty quick chasing that ball down every time.
“We had our chances. The girls are pretty proud. They played hard. Especially with people not at full pace, with injuries. I’m pretty proud of the girls.”
Flathead, too, piled on chances in the second half, Vandenbosch nearly doubling the Bravettes lead twice with one-on-one chances, striking one straight into Glacier keeper Maddie Armstrong and the second wide right.
“We settled in,” Wilson said.
“I felt like we possessed really well in the first half. We are a possession style team. We had lots of dangerous opportunities attacking from the outside. We got ample shots, we just weren’t converting. Hopefully that changes over the course of the season.”
The Bravettes are making up for lost time this weekend, getting back on the field on Saturday at Missoula Hellgate. Glacier is off until a weekend trip to Helena next Friday and Saturday.
Glacier 1 0 — 1
Flathead 2 0 — 2
GLA—Cadie Williams (Alysha Smith), 1:00
FHD—Clara Vandenbosch (Stephanie Wilson), 18:00
FHD—Jaymee Siler, 26:00
Shots on goal—Glacier 4, Flathead 7. Saves—Glacier 8 (Maddie Armstrong), Flathead 6. Corner kicks—n/a. Fouls—n/a. Cards—none.