SOCCER: Stillwater Christian back in state title match

BOZEMAN — Stillwater Christian beat Helena Christian 6-2 on Friday at the Montana Christian Athletic Association state soccer tournament, setting up another state final appearance.

The Cougars scored the first four goals of the contest to take a commanding lead. Nicholas Sulzbacher put Stillwater on the board in the third minute and Jonny Warricks doubled the score with a goal in the 24th. A minute later, Zac King lifted the lead to 3-0 at the break.

The Cougars advance to the final to play defending state champ Heritage Christian in a rematch of last year’s final. Heritage won 7-0 in the only meeting between the two teams earlier this year.

“It should be a very good game,” Stillwater coach Ryan O’Rourke said.

“Heritage has a strong program. We’re looking forward to a good championship game.”

Stillwater 3 3 — 6

Helena Christian 0 2 — 2

SCS — Nicholas Sulzbacher, 3:00

SCS — Jonny Warricks (Darren Kauffman), 24:00

SCS — Zac King (Kauffman), 25:00

SCS — Isaac Neumann, 37:00

HCS — Cole Koenig, 42:00

SCS — Jakob Hembroff (Jared Fetveit), 60:00

SCS — Warricks (Sulzbacher), 62:00

HCS — Alex Donaldson, 70:00

Shots on goal — SCS 16, HCS 7. Saves — SCS 5 (Zack Basnett), HCS 10 (Austin Asbury). Corner kicks — SCS 5, HCS 1. Fouls — SCS 7, HCS 6. Cards — None.