Spring Kicks

Polson FC teams play at home last weekend in spring soccer

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POLSON FC 18U BOYS DOWNS RAVALLI UNITED

POLSON - The Polson FC 18U boys team got a hat trick from James Larson and defeated Ravalli United 5-1 this weekend in bad weather conditions at home.

"We just possessed and kept the ball," 18U head coach Jeff Heutmaker said. "We made some nice combination plays near the goal."

Also using the soccer equivalent of a zone defense, Polson was able to keep in check a team made up of kids from Hamilton, Corvallis and Stevenville.

"We really shut them down defensively," Heutmaker said.

Two weeks ago, the team kicked off its season against teams made up of players from AA schools from Missoula and North Idaho schools. Then this weekend, the team got to play in the confines of their home field despite the less than desirable conditions of rain and wind.

Polson FC has two all-state players on the team in seniors Trever Moll and Sean Hart, and they also have three kids, Nick Howell, Jon Murphy and James Larson, who play on the Montana United select team that has been traveling around the country to places like San Diego and Las Vegas and playing against other select teams.

"They've been getting lots of competition," Heutmaker said.

Heutmaker said that the core group of the team has been playing together for six years and that has certainly helped with the team's chemistry. While the end-of-season state championship Montana Cup is the goal in spring soccer, there's a lot of development-minded playing going on out on the pitch.

Heutmaker said that they're trying to develop all of the players, including those who weren't on the high school team last fall that made it to Montana's final four in the state, or saw a limited role in playing.

"I think we're playing soccer for its own sake, we're playing soccer because it's fun," Heutmaker said.

POLSON FC 18U CO-ED BATTLES TOUGH SCHEDULE

After their games were canceled last weekend due to teams pulling out of their tournament, Polson was able to get in their first action of the year against Ravalli United and the Polson FC 18 U Boys team.

"This was the first time we got to look at our team," 18U co-ed coach Jess Kittle said. "I'm really happy with how my team played. We have the make-up of being a good co-ed team."

Polson FC was matched up against two of the toughest 18U boys teams in the state, dropping both games but still showing flashes of brilliance.

"We really haven't had the chance to show our potential," Kittle said.

They'll get their chance though as they have 10 more games and eight of those will come against co-ed squads like themselves.

With players from Polson, Mission Valley Christian Academy, Ronan and even Kalispell, Polson FC is getting everyone to gel.

"We're still coming together as a team," Kittle said. "We're working on things such as passing and what is everybody's preferred foot."

Polson dropped their first game to Ravalli United 12-1 and then played a friendly matchup against the Polson FC 18U boys squad, losing 8-0.

"I'm still really proud," Kittle said. "We improved during the course of the games."

The game was fun since everyone knew one another and the players certainly had a good time with the home crowd, Kittle said.

"It was fun to see the kids interacting the way they did," Kittle said of the second game.

However, the match was shortened due to weather as the wind was so strong that it managed to blow over a goal, despite the stakes holding it down. Due to safety concerns, the refs called the game 13 minutes early.

"I've heard of [goals blowing over before] but I've never seen it blow over," Kittle said.

Kittle said he liked what he saw from senior goalkeeper Jacie Morrison over the weekend.

"She blocked a ton of one-on-keeper situation," Kittle said. "She's really been working hard on improving her game throughout the year."

Kittle said he also liked the job that senior Laura Rost did at sweeper.

The Polson FC 18U co-ed team will be in Helena this Saturday to play Laurel and Missoula FC, both co-ed teams themselves.

"We look forward to a couple of good matches," Kittle

said.