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Glacier upsets Bozeman for state title berth

by Daily Inter Lake
| October 26, 2021 10:57 PM

BOZEMAN — The Glacier Wolfpack is back in the State AA boys soccer final after pulling off an upset win Tuesday in Bozeman.

Glacier beat the Hawks 2-1 in the semifinal game, buoyed by two goals from Sullivan Coggins that had Bozeman on the ropes by halftime.

“We played confidently,” Glacier coach Ryan Billiet said. “We were prepared, we have experience, and it showed today. We kept the pressure on. It was a relentless effort.”

The 2-0 lead held up until Torren Hill scored for the Hawks in the 77th minute, but Glacier clamped down defensively and got key saves from John Pyron to hold them off.

“John was fantastic,” Billiet said. “We found a ton of good success in the midfield too … defensively we’ve only given up six or seven goals all year.”

Sam Ells and Hunter Lisowski assisted on Coggins’ goals. Pyron had eight saves

Bozeman has won five championships (the last one in 2018) and has appeared in the title game the last two seasons, each time losing to Hellgate.

Glacier has been to the state final once, in 2017, but lost to Hellgate, who has won four titles in five years, including one in 2020.

Hellgate beat Billings West 1-0 Tuesday and is Glacier’s opponent Saturday as both teams play for the championship at Fort Missoula. The game time is yet to be confirmed.

“This group’s been developing for years, through youth soccer, different coaches, support from the community and family,” Billiet said. “And to find a way to get themselves to the final is a testament to them.”

Gallatin and Billings West girls will meet in the chipper.

Glacier 2 0 — 2

Bozeman 0 1 — 1

G — Sullivan Coggins (Sam Ells) 8:00

G — Coggins (Hunter Lisowski) 22:00

B — Torren Hill 77:00

Shots — Glacier 9, Bozeman 12. Goalie saves — Glacier 8 (John Pyron), Bozeman 7 (Simon Kinzler). Corner kicks — Glacier 2, Bozeman 2. Fouls — Glacier 5, Bozeman 5. Cards — Bozeman 1.

Class AA semifinals

Tuesday

Boys

Glacier 2, Bozeman 1

Missoula Hellgate 1, Billings West 0

Girls

Gallatin 1, Helena 0

Billings West 5, Missoula Hellgate 1