Soccer roundup
Sophomore James Larson goes up for a header against Whitefish last Saturday. Polson won 2-1 and remained undefeated in conference play.
WHITEFISH — The Polson Pirates (1-0-1 conf., 1-3-1 overall) haven’t played matches for the faint of heart.
On Thursday, they toughed out a 0-0 tie with Libby despite their 14 corner kicks.
“They’re looking like they’re coming together as a cohesive unit,” Polson head coach Jess Kittle said of his team’s defense. “It wasn’t an easy game but [Pirates goalkeeper Clay Frissell wasn’t a pin cushion back there.”
Polson outshot Libby 5-4, but just couldn’t convert on some close opportunities. Then on Saturday, Polson was staring a 1-0 deficit at the half against Whitefish in the face and gave it a firm kick in the behind.
“I think it kind of fired us up having us score there,” junior Riley Lemm said. “I think it gave us the extra energy to put those goals in there.”
Polson was put an end to a four-and-a-half game scoreless streak when senior Sean Hart scored on a cornerkick in the 66th minute. Lemm had the assist. Then just before time expired, Lemm received a pass from junior Jon Murphy.
“I missed it on my first time, but then the defender missed it and then the goalkeeper started to come out,” Lemm said. “I just hit it over the goalie’s hands.”
Frissell also had five saves in the win.
“I can’t think of a better time to break open and score those goals,” Kittle said.
Polson had as many shot on goals as Whitefish with six.
“It’s never easy, you always got to work hard for it,” Kittle said. It kind of gets us mentally over the hump [scoring the goals].”
Polson will play Bigfork at 6 p.m. today on the road and at Columbia Falls at 11 a.m. on Friday.
Lady Pirates endure
tough losses
The Lady Pirates (0-2 conf., 1-4-0 overall) jumped out to a 2-0 lead over Libby last Thursday in Polson but lost in heart-breaking fashion with mere seconds left on the clock, 3-2 in a Northwestern A Conference matchup.
“This was the best game of soccer I’ve seen this team play,” Polson head coach Michael Hewston said. “I thought we had them beat man-to-man the entire game.”
Senior Sarah Devlin scored from an assist by senior Jordan Hinshaw at the 10-minute mark and then junior Brynn Rowley scored three minutes later to take a two goal lead.
“This team has never been ahead of Libby,” Hewston said.
Libby made it 2-1 in the 25th minute and would tie things up at the 68th minute. With less than 30 seconds left to go in the game, the Lady Loggers’ Ashley Shaw knocked in a goal from an assist by Jamie Gilden.
The second half wouldn’t be kind to the Lady Pirates on Saturday in another conference matchup against Whitefish.
Trailing just 1-0 at the half, Polson gave up four goals in the second half and lost 5-0.
Polson will play Bigfork at 4 p.m. today on the road and in Columbia Falls at 1 p.m. on Saturday.