Knights get 3-peat; Glacier boys fall in AA soccer final

MISSOULA — The Pack against the Black Knights soccer battle was everything you thought it’d be Saturday — a tight, physical game with so few scoring chances one goal would win it.

In the 98th minute Hellgate’s Marcus Anderson got that goal: A shot from 45 feet that curled inside the right side of the net at Fort Missoula. It came after Glacier (13-2-2) had been the aggressor much of the second half and the two, 10-minute overtime periods.

It marked the third consecutive State AA boys title for Hellgate (15-0-2), and seventh in 11 years. Glacier has now been runner-up to the Knights twice, the other being 2017.

“We did everything we could to prevent them from creating scoring opportunities,” Glacier coach Ryan Billiet said. “We closed their space down, we kept the lanes very small, we were strong with our tackling. Our wing players were dangerous. We did everything we could to give ourselves the opportunity. It just came down to a heroic effort at the end.”

There were 13 combined shots on goal, and Glacier had eight of them. That includes a near point-blank shot from Zane Elliott midway through the first overtime, and a blast from Hunter Lisowski from the left wing midway through the second.

Hellgate keeper Loren Deskins made diving saves on both.

“Their keeper made some great saves,” Billiet said. “Then Marcus turned that ball in and took that ricochet. That thing was whipping in.”

It was the 13th goal of the season for Anderson, son of 19th-year Hellgate coach Jay Anderson.

“I didn’t know if it would go, but I always have to take those chances,” the younger Anderson said. “I might start crying again. The last three years winning state has been incredible, especially to do it with my family on and off the field.”

Anderson seemed to be surrounded before he curved in his shot; the players helped to screen Glacier keeper John Pyron.

“I’m pretty sure it went off one of our defender’s legs, and that’s what added a little extra shape to the ball,” Billiet said. “Nonetheless, it was just well-finished, and a clutch moment for them.”

A sizable crowd filled up the stands that flanked the sometimes slick, artificial turf pitch. Hellgate’s student section rushed the field when the final buzzer sounded, maybe a minute after Anderson’s goal.

Billiet subbed often, including getting rest time for Joey Paolini, who is nursing a sore calf.

“Those players out wide, we rely on them a lot defensively and on the attack, so we have to funnel those guys out pretty consistently,” the coach said. “And then our midfield — geesh, a lot of those guys played 100-plus minutes. That’s a lot of soccer. That’s a lot of field to cover against a really good team, obviously.”

Sam Ells, Sol Della Betta, Liam Ells and Elijah Mildren were stingyl. The Wolfpack held the Knights scoreless in regulation for the second time this season.

“They bring the intensity to another level,” the Knights’ Anderson said. “They always push us to be better, and I think we do the same for them. They’ve always been our best competition and I think they always will be.”

“Can’t really ask for more,” said Mildren, one of 10 Glacier seniors. “We made it to the championship, went as hard as we could, gave it our all. It was the last two minutes of the game when they finally got one on us. It was a fun game to play in.”

“It’s tough to lose that kind of game in the final moment there, after we felt we had a majority of the run of play in the extra time,” Billiet said, then brightened. “It was a great season. These guys overcame so many challenges, so much adversity to put themselves in this spot. It was honorable and admirable. They should be proud.”

Glacier 0 0 0 0 - 0

Hellgate 0 0 0 1 - 1

H — Marcus Anderson, 98:00

Shots on goal — Glacier 8, Hellgate 5. Keeper saves — Glacier (John Pyron) 4, Glacier (Loren Deskins) 3. Corner kicks — Glacier 6, Hellgate 5. Fouls — Glacier 10, Hellgate 15. Cards — Glacier 1 yellow, Hellgate 1 yellow.