Crosstown soccer time arrives for Flathead, Glacier

The Flathead Braves/Bravettes and Glacier Wolfpack soccer programs kicked off their Western AA Conference seasons over the weekend on either a good note, or with positive results.

The Flathead boys pounded Butte 10-1 and the Flathead girls were nearly as offensive in a 7-0 victory over the Bulldogs. Those matches were originally scheduled for Butte, but switched to Kidsports Complex because of a scheduling conflict for Butte.

Glacier’s boys battled state powerhouse Missoula Hellgate to a 1-1 tie, and the Glacier girls tied the Knights by the same score. Those matches were in Missoula.

Those Saturday openers should have both teams upbeat for today’s key contest — the first crosstown match of the season. It’s also the first crosstown matchup of all the fall sports.

Glacier is the home team for this one at Legends Stadium. The boys are up first — 6 p.m. — with the girls to follow at 8.

The Glacier boys lead the all-time crosstown series 14-8-3 while Flathead’s girls lead it 16-8-4.

Last year, Flathead swept the series with the boys winning 4-2 and 4-1 and the girls posting 2-0, and 2-0 scores.

In 2017, the Glacier boys won 3-2 and tied the second crosstown 3-3. The Glacier girls won both, 3-2 and 1-0.

Glacier follows the crosstown with a Friday trip to Butte — girls play at 3 p.m. and boys at 5.

Flathead draws Hellgate at Kidsports Complex on Saturday — boys at 10 a.m. and girls at noon.

Flathead is the host team for the second crosstown match on Sept. 26 at Legends Stadium. The girls go first at 6 p.m. with the boys on the field at 8.

Braves vs. Wolfpack

6 p.m.

At Legends Stadium

Glacier answered both Hellgate scores on goals by Burke Fox and Diego Mendoza. That match was tied 1-1 at the half.

Hellgate outshot Glacier 14-5 on goal. John Pyron had 12 keeper saves for Glacier.

Flathead had six different players score goals in its blowout. Jalen Hawes had a hat trick for the Braves. Eric Gardner had two goals to go with two assists. AJ Apple had two goals and one assist.

Flathead outshot Butte on goal 24-3 and scored six times in the second half.

“I had a feeling we would put quite a few away based on their record from last year,” Flathead coach Zach Brenneman said of the Butte outing.

“Getting 10 in a game is a lot, it’s tough to do. I was surprised to get that many. I was happy the majority of our goals came with assists. We were playing team soccer, getting everyone into play. It was not individual efforts scoring goals. A great start, a great way to begin the season.”

The attention now turns to crosstown.

“Never know what will happen (in crosstown matches),” Brenneman said.

“I feel my players are focused, ready to give it 100 percent. If we do that, we have the potential to come out with a win.”

Brenneman was impressed with the performance Glacier turned in against Hellgate.

“Yes, I saw the Glacier-Hellgate score,” he said.

“Hellgate is one of top teams in our conference. I know Glacier will come to play. We will be ready to go.”

Brenneman says crosstown is one of the best outings every year.

“It’s fun ... it’s more fun played under the lights at Legends Stadium. More fans come out, cheering us on. It’s more exciting atmosphere.”

Bravettes vs. Wolfpack

8 p.m.

At Legends Stadium

Skyleigh Thompson scored three of Flathead’s seven goals in its romp over Butte. Ashlynn Whiteman netted two.

Flathead, with 24 shots on goal to Butte’s 4, tallied five goals in the second half.

Ady Powell’s goal, assisted by Madison Becker in the 24th minute, completed the scoring in the Glacier-Hellgate battle.

Glacier outshot Hellgate 8-3 on goal and led in corner kicks 5-2.

“We kept the foot on the gas for sure,” Glacier coach Brenden Byrd said.

“Hellgate is very a great program. They don’t have the numbers they have had in the past, but the players they do have are very athletic. They are soccer players. Their keeper (Sophie Pierce) is one of top keepers in the state as well.”

Now its time for a highly charged, emotion filled battle with Flathead.

“It’s doesn’t matter if you are a veteran or a first-year coach, everyone prepares the same way” Byrd said.

“You prepare for a wild, emotional match. You try to knock down the anxiety of the match. It’s also one of the most enjoyable matches, win or lose, in that stadium with the fans. You know everyone.”

The only drawback of the crosstown is having it so close to the start of the season.

“It’s a bummer to have it the second match of year, but you have to play everyone sometime,” Byrd said.

“This year I feel we are a little more well-rounded and we have some depth on our bench this year, so a high intensity match should not be as big of a difference for us.”