Sting drop first two soccer matches

The MVCA Sting dropped its two opening games Friday and Saturday, but the young soccer squad played with lots of heart, scoring five goals and showing promise of a formidable defense.

In Sting's opener against Helena Christian on Friday, mental errors abounded as Sting was stung for six goals, but the boys fought hard and improved as the game progressed. Jonah Matt scored twice, from far and near, and Levi Walchuk scored on a corner kick for a final score of 6-3 in favor of Helena Christian.

In Saturday's game against the Great Falls Bulldogs, the Sting made adjustments to their man-to-man defense that freed sweeper Kyle Heilig to do his important back-up role, and the results were impressive.

Despite the Bulldogs' dominating control of the ball for most of the game, their scoring opportunities were limited by outstanding Sting teamwork and the goal-tending of Jonathan Glasson. Defensive midfielder George Murphy proved a particular nemesis to Bulldog attackers who found themselves repeatedly turned away as they tried to set up scoring opportunities.

On the offensive side of the field, a Kyle Heilig throw-in was driven home by a deft header by Jonah Matt. Sting's second goal came from a neat inside pass from Jerome Hicks to Jonah Matt who flicked the ball into the air and headed it over the head of the attacking goalie into the Bulldog net.

Both teams enjoyed brief one-point advantages, but most of the match was fought at tie scores. The game looked to end as a 2-2 tie, but a Sting penalty on a Bulldog corner in the final minute gave the Bulldogs a penalty-kick goal for the 3-2 win.

This week, Sting plays Stillwater Christian (Tuesday), in Ronan, and travels to Great Falls on Saturday for a re-match against the Bulldogs.