MVCA seniors make all-conference team
Mission Valley Christian Academy senior soccer players Josiah Murphy, left, and Chris Moore, right, stand in front of the soccer field behind the new school building. The boys were all-conference for the Montana Christian Athletic Association.
Mission Valley Christian Academy boys head coach Russ Lockhart, right, studies a sweatshirt and searches for the words to thank his boys for a great season. The gift was presented from the team by senior captain senior Josiah Murphy, left.
Mike Cast
POLSON - Mission Valley Christian Academy senior soccer players Chris Moore and Josiah Murphy were awarded with the honor of playing as part of the all-conference tournament team for the Montana Christian Athletic Association. Murphy was a substitute for senior Jerome Hicks, who was unable to attend.
"He is an amazing soccer player," Murphy said of Hicks.
They each had their highlights, Murphy scoring an assist and Moore placing second in the skill competition.
After a tough season, the Mission Valley team finished strong in the Montana Christian Athletic Association tournament with great performances by the three seniors mentioned and the fourth captain goalie Joe Hammerburg, who Moore says should have been selected to the all-conference team.
The team lost its first game in the state tournament but came back to beat Rim Rock Christian High School 6-3, Helena Christian 5-4, and then lost their last game to finish fourth overall in the league after a season that placed them well below that.
Moore was born and raised in Polson and says outside of soccer he likes to juggle a soccer ball - he enjoys the sport that much.
"That's one of my main talents," he said.
He plays spring soccer for a club team in Kalispell and plans to go to Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash. to become a minister.
Murphy was born near Polson and likes reading and making wooden swords to do battle with friends.
"And long walks on the beach," said Moore.
He enjoys the outdoors and will probably go work at Camp Bighorn, a Christian adventure camp until he decides where to go to school. He has been a raft guide and cleaned toilets a the camp before, among other responsibilities.
"It depends on what they want us to do," he said.
Both young men are interested in playing soccer down the road. Murphy received a Christian Character Award from the league and Moore was one of the runners-up.
Head coach Russ Lockhart said the team's seniors were the real coaches of the team.
"Their leadership was invaluable to me because I never played soccer," he said.
He also said the boys' characters made the difference.
"Chris and Josiah in particular are two very dedicated Christian boys," Lockhart said. "And consequently they were able to not lord over them (other teammates) and be real helpful without judgment."
He said that the two of them had different styles of leadership, but both of them helped the team turn things around come tournament time.
"Chris is a loud leader and Josiah is a quiet leader," he said. "They both lead by example and their influence will remain for some time."
The MVCA recently moved into a new building near Wal-Mart on Highway 35. Next year's players will also have a new field to play on.