Soccer: Lady Pirates' mindset pushes them to succeed

Before the season started for the Polson Lady Pirates soccer

team, they were each asked a simple question.

Before the season started for the Polson Lady Pirates soccer team, they were each asked a simple question.

Why do you play soccer? The answer from each team member made it very clear to head coach Michael Hewston that the girls played because they loved the game. Heading into the season, the girls soccer team hadn't made the playoffs since 2003 and the goal for the Lady Pirates this year was simply to compete. They certainly did that.

"Their hopes may have been high but their feet were solid on the ground," Hewston said.

Behind solid veteran leadership and talented scorers, the Lady Pirates went 4-4 in conference play, with impressive two-game sweeps of Bigfork and Libby, and qualified for the Montana state playoffs.

"If feels very good to make the playoffs," Hewston said. "It's the first time in a long time."

It started with hard morning workouts at the beginning of the season where players were expected to touch the soccer ball more than 500 times. Throw in mile-long runs, running up and down the bleachers at the Polson Sports Complex and you had some hard work getting done.

"When a player would fall behind, the group would wait in a standing jog for them to catch up and then continued as a team," Hewston said.

Teamwork and drive were something that the Lady Pirates focused on. They decided to focus on what they could control... the way they played out on the field.

The team had several focus meetings about how they could blaze a new path of success for the team. The Lady Pirates watched videos and ate lunches.

They even colored soccer balls and sang songs while discussing how they would make this season different.

And they have certainly made this a different season.

According to Hewston, the freshmen players, eight in all, told him that the team "made us feel like it is not the seniors' year, it's the team's year and it makes all the difference."

Polson scored 21 goals this season en route to a 5-7 regular-season record including two straight wins going into the playoffs.

"We've got momentum and all season long I've asked them to compete," Hewston said. "Regardless of winning or losing, we want to walk off the field and say that we've competed."

Polson has done that and more. Freshman Sarah Howell was an offensive powerhouse, scoring 10 goals on the season, followed by senior Madeline Hewston who scored five goals and dished out four assists.

Senior Annie Venters was a sniper for the Lady Pirates, hitting from 20 yards out on a regular basis for three goals and an assist.

"We have the players that were needed and they meshed," Hewston said.

The key to success this season has been passing and moving out on the field, and anyone that has seen the Lady Pirates out on the field has a pretty good understanding of why they call this "the beautiful game." Polson's movement and teamwork has almost been a work of art sometimes out on the pitch.

THE SCOUTING REPORT

Sarah Howell - Just a freshman, Howell was the Lady Pirates main offensive threat this year and looked years ahead of her time at the forward position. The Northern A conference could be hearing quite a bit from her for years to come.

Madeline Hewston - One of the senior leaders of the team, Hewston's skills are unmatched and her ability to maintain control of the ball when marked by two or three defenders is impressive.

Another deadly offensive threat for the Lady Pirates, she's earned all-conference two times.

"Madeline is a force to be reckoned with," coach Hewston said.

Annie Venters - Defenses would be wise just to make sure somebody is always marked on Venters as she has a knack for nailing long shots with the perfect kind of touch that finds the back of the goal.

MaKenzie Wegner - A senior with extremely well-tuned skills on the field to go along with her speed.

"She reads the field well and she reacts to the play," Hewston said. "She's irreplaceable on the field."

Brynn Rowley - a great dribbler who makes quality passes to teammates when the Lady Pirates are on the attack. Rowley knows how to handle crosses and can net a put-back goal if needed.

Marisa Binder - Binder knows her geometry when it comes to playing defense for the Lady Pirates. The angles she takes while trying to neutralize any opposing team scorers ensure Polson won't be giving up any easy goals.

Sara Robinson - Sara's knowledge of the game and skills make her well-suited for the importance of the midfield position as she can get the ball to Polson's best scorers.

Olivia Hart - Hart has a powerful kick and has been known to pick the pockets of opposing teams when it comes to ball possession. A strong wing/defender that should serve the Lady Pirates well for years to come.

Monica Cleveland - Monica has been a rock at goalkeeper for Polson during the season. She's collected over 80 saves and has put plenty of work into the position during the offseason.

Linnea Madsen - Madsen has shown to be a great player out on the field and works well with her teammates even though she's just a freshman. She's seen a lot of shots on goals opportunities and will be an offensive threat for the Lady Pirates for years to come.

Jamie Young - Senior defender Jamie Young always puts herself in the right position on defense and makes adjustments well.

Polson can expect 100 percent effort from Young, one of the cornerstones of the team.

Grace Rehbein - Rehbein has controlled her areas well at defender during the season and had a good sense of the field.

Shannon McGinnis - Defenders have difficulty getting the ball past McGinnis who seems like a brick wall sometimes stopping opposing teams' advances. She's also a very capable backup goalie.

Keely Clairmont - Her speed and touch on the ball are great and she's an effective weapon for the Lady Pirates.

Tatyonna Fisher - Fisher has proven herself to be a tenacious defender and an asset to Polson in the backfield.

Elin Persson - This Swedish foreign exchange student knows how to position herself on defense and has a strong kick that has thwarted many opponents.

Mariana Llaguno - Hailing from Monterey, Mexico, Llaguno has some world-class speed that gets her down the field quickly. She's a threat from anywhere on the pitch.