Tsunami takes first place at Montana State Cup
Top Row: Coach Niall Davenport, Defender Jamie Young, Mid-Fielder Meggan Tovar, Wing, Ericka Nunlist, Defender Marisa Binder, Defender Jordan Hinshaw, Wing Annie Venters, Wing Reegan Von Wildenradt, Mid-Fielder Kendra Poole, Wing Mesa<br>Starkey, Mid-Fielder Madeline Hewston, Coach Michael Hewston <br>Middle Row: Striker Ayla Skinner, Wing MaKenzie Wegner, Striker Laura Rost,<br>Defender Alaina Brown, Defender Jessica Rubel, Striker Laura Barta <br>Bottom Row: Striker Sarah Devlin, Keeper Jacie Morrison
The u14 Polson Girls Tsunami Soccer Team took first place at the Montana State Cup in Butte last weekend. The u14 division contained nine teams in three brackets, and two flights. There were two champions in the division, one for each flight. Each team played two seeding matches on Saturday and then semi-finals and championship or consolation on Sunday.
During the first game, Saturday at 1:15 against the Blitzz of Bozeman, Tsunami allowed one goal during the first half on a break away run. Striker Sarah Devlin answered shortly thereafter on a fire shot to the right side on service from Reegan Von Wilderan. During the second half Bozeman continued to play the off-side trap to slowing, but not stopping the Tsunami attack. Right wing MaKenzie Wagner scored on an up the line through ball from defender Jamie Young. The Tsunami defense led by Jordan Hinshaw, Marisa Binder, Jamie Young and Jessica Rubel played together flawlessly during the second half shutting down the Bozeman attack, the entire second half was played on the Bozeman side of the field. The game ended in a 2-1 victory for Tsunami.
Second game
The second game of the seeding process, played at 4:45 against the Missoula Strikers was an all-out battle. The referees did a great job of keeping play under control during this hard played match. Tsunami's left wing Reegan Von Wilderan was first to score on a left-footed shot to the top left corner of the net. Strikers came back in the next few minutes with a score up the middle tying the game at one. It was a common theme for the Tsunami to surrender a goal following the scoring of a goal all season, no doubt a coaching point for next season. The game continued until the last 10 minutes when a direct kick was awarded to Tsunami on a penalty just outside the 18 yard box. Mid-fielder Madeline Hewston placed an absolutely beautiful floating kick to the top right of the net. The game ended in a 2-1 victory.
Beating both teams in their flight secured them a spot in the championship game. The semi-final game was won by Bozeman 2-1 in golden goal overtime.
Championship battle
The championship game, played at 3:00 was a fierce battle and remained scoreless at half. Bozeman scored first with about 15 minutes left in the game on a counter-attack up the right side. Tsunamis attacked from all sides, controlling the possession but were unable to score until about eight minutes left when striker Sarah Devlin scored on service from Laura Rost to tie the game. The goal boosted the Tsunamis' confidence and momentum soared. Tsunami took control of the Bozeman's kickoff and striker Sarah Devlin scored again in the next two minutes on a cross from wing Reegan Von Wilderan. The game ended with a 2-1 victory for Tsunami.
This was the final weekend of soccer for the u14 Tsunami team who after a slow start blossomed into Montana State Cup Soccer Champions.
Next season the team will move into the u15 bracket. With some of the players moving from the area there will be a few positions open for additional girls to join the team. Watch for notification in February if you would like to be a part of this program.