C-Falls blanks Lone Peak, Wildkats fall
BIG SKY — The Wildcats got their playoff journey off to a strong start in Big Sky with a 3-0 win over Lone Peak Saturday in a Class A quarterfinal game.
“A really testy game, a lot of physical play,’’ Columbia Falls coach O’Brien Byrd said. “Both teams were tense. It was just awesome to see the guys thrive under the pressure. It took time to chip away at them but goal by goal we did.”
Findley Sundberg gave Columbia Falls a 1-0 lead going into the half, assisted by Kai Golan. Golan scored in the 59th minute and freshman Otto Anderson scored an insurance goal in the 76th minute that sealed the deal for the Cats.
“Anderson scored the goal that basically clinched it,” Byrd said. “Really cool seeing a freshman score a goal like that.”
Bryce Dunham made six saves in the shutout.
“The shutout feels good,” Byrd said.
The Wildcats face Loyola next week, game time to be announced.
Columbia Falls 1 2 — 3
Lone Peak 0 0 — 0
CF — Findley Sundberg (Kai Golan) 29:00
CF — Golan (Dale Blickhan) 59:00
CF — Otto Anderson (Walt Nichols) 76:00
Shots — CF 17, Lone Peak 7. Goalie saves — CF 6 (Bryce Dunham), Lone Peak 10 (Sawyer Wolfe). Corner kicks — CF 3, Lone Peak 1. Fouls — CF 8, Lone Peak 9. Cards — CF 1, Lone Peak 1.
Girls
Laurel 3, Columbia Falls 1
LAUREL — For the fourth time in as many years, the Laurel Locomotives again spelled the end of Columbia Falls’ season, this time with a 3-1 quarterfinal victory.
“They fought like hell all game and they had a great season,” Wildkats coach Thomas Calrk said. “They’ve helped build one of the top teams in the state consistently.”
The Wildkats (9-4) shut down the state’s leading goal scorer, Mya Maack, but Laurel was still able to get on the board with goals from Cassie Sampson, Chloe Baumann, and Kaitlyn Dantic. Sampson and Dantic’s goals were scored on set pieces.
“We went in with the game plan that we weren’t going to let her (Maack) beat us.” Clark said. “Two goals off set pieces hurt us.”
The Locomotives (13-1) played a passive game, positioning players behind the ball instead of attacking, a puzzling decision for the defending state champions.
“They kind of put a ton of numbers behind the ball and kind of hunkered down … interesting that a 2 time state winning team would concede tactically,” Clark said. “More power to them if they can win a state championship that way.”
Maddie Robison scored in the 67th minute but Columbia Falls didn’t have much time left to rally.
“Any time you go down 2-0 it’s going to be tough,” Clark said. “I’m super proud of the seniors and underclassmen … Everybody that was out there.”
Columbia Falls 0 1 — 1
Laurel 2 1 — 3
L — Cassie Sampson 7:00
L — Chloe Baumann (Madison Peaton) 28:00
L — Kaitlyn Dantic 55:00
CF — Maddie Robison 67:00
Shots — CF 11, Laurel 13. Goalie saves — CF 6 (Zoey Byrd), Laurel 5 (Anna Cole). Corner kicks — CF 1, Laurel 2. Fouls — CF 11, Laurel 13. Cards — Laurel 1.