Stillwater Christian boys win MCAA soccer title

Soccer is a banner sport in the Flathead Valley, and a local team has already nailed down a state championship: Stillwater Christian.

Getting two goals each from Micah Strobel and Josha Anderson, the Cougars beat the visiting Billings Christian Warriors 7-1 in the finals of the Montana Christian Athletic Association tournament at SCS Saturday.

The Cougars’ three wins at the tournament brought their record to 15-2, and Saturday the offense — held to five goals in their first two tournament victories, 3-0 over Heritage Christian and 2-0 over Gallatin Valley Home School — exploded for 23 shots, 16 of them on goal. Seven went in.

“A remarkable percentage for any game, much more so in a final,” SCS coach Philip Lodien commented. “We were able to get on the board early in the game with a beautiful one-time shot from Joshua Anderson off of a nice layoff from Micah Strobel.

“They connected again only 12 minutes later, this time Joshua setting up Micah for the goal.”

Isaac Shawback tallied next on a penalty kick, and then set Strobel up for his second goal and a 4-0 lead just before halftime.

The lead grew to 6-0 on a penalty kick from Conner Miller, then a highlight-reel free kick from Anderson that found the top right corner.

Billings Christian tallied with a goal from William Kinnett, set up by Silas Reno, in the 55th minute.

The Cougars’ Silas Jones tapped in a rebound with seven minutes left to complete the scoring.

“This team was a complete team, possessing the quality and skill to shut down opposing offenses, dominate possession, and turn that possession into points at the other end,” said Lodien, whose club outscored its opposition 69-12, said. “Our scoring onslaught was set up by fantastic defensive work from our backline and beautiful passing throughout. We

were truly clicking on all cylinders as a team.”