Polson U12 boys win Butte tourney

BUTTE — Polson FC brings home more gold and this time it was done by the U12 boys team.  The two day, Montana Showcase tournament, proved to be interesting due to the hot, windy weather in Butte.  The Montana Showcase is a Montana Youth Soccer Association sanctioned tournament for U10, U11, and U12 boys and girls from clubs across the state.

BUTTE — Polson FC brings home more gold and this time it was done by the U12 boys team.  The two day, Montana Showcase tournament, proved to be interesting due to the hot, windy weather in Butte.  The Montana Showcase is a Montana Youth Soccer Association sanctioned tournament for U10, U11, and U12 boys and girls from clubs across the state.

The U12 boys teams were split into two separate groups, due to the number of teams involved, and each group had its own championship bracket.  Polson FC drew a Butte team in the first round Saturday morning at 8am.  

We had a great game and were able to score 8 goals to their 1.  Advancing to the next round, we faced a tough Bozeman Blitzz team and this time we didn’t have the cool morning temperature.  This game was mid-afternoon and hot.  In the regular season, we had lost to this team so I knew it would be a tough match.  The Blitzz were able to score early putting us down by 2 goals at the half.  The boys rallied and came back to score 5 goals in the second half and allowed 2 more Blitzz goals.  The final score was Polson FC 5, Bozeman Blitzz 4.  This was the most exciting game I have ever been involved in.  One can imagine the excitement of the rally.  

The second round win advanced us to the semi-finals where we faced another Butte team.  And in this bracket, the loser of this game was done competing.  It was gut-check time.  

I said “boys, we are not going home.  We are not ready to go home.  You guys play with your hearts like you did yesterday and we come out of this with a win.”  Apparently the team agreed with me and like the game with the first Butte team, we won 8 - 1, sending Polson FC to the finals.  We were confident and really playing like we could not be stopped.  

On the other side of the bracket, FC Missoula was finding success also undefeated so far in the tournament.  

They had just won an overtime semi-final against the Bozeman Blitzz team we had beaten previously, putting FC Missoula into the finals. 

During the regular season Polson FC had played FC Missoula one time and that match ended in a 0 - 0 draw.  I really didn’t know what to expect from them.  They were a young, scrappy bunch who matched up with us fairly well.  

The final game was set in hottest and windiest of settings.  Dust clouds swirled over the city of Butte at 4:10 Sunday afternoon.  It was the last game of the tournament and all of the other fields had been vacated.  It was Polson FC against FC Missoula and the air was filled with excitement.  The wind was definitely going to be a factor and with the win of the coin toss, we chose to have the wind at our backs for the second period.  Our first goal resulted from a direct Michael Vergeront corner kick.  FC Missoula answered with a goal making it 1 - 1 at the half.  The head-wind really made it difficult to run and the ball action unpredictable.  I was actually happy with a draw at the half.  

The team hit the field re-hydrated and encouraged but FC Missoula was able to find the goal early in the second half off a corner kick, putting them up by a goal.  

Shortly thereafter, we were able to tie it up from a beautiful, 15 yard chip-shot over the goalkeeper’s hands, off the foot of mid-fielder Nico River.  It was picture perfect and could not have come at a better time.  

A tie game and we were really starting to fire on all cylinders, making strike after strike on goal.  Finally, with about 8 minutes remaining, the possible game winning strike came from Mack Moderie.  It was from about 20 yards out and like Nico’s goal, just out of the keeper’s reach.  With time remaining, we really needed to keep our composure and either keep scoring or make a defensive stand.  

After, what seemed to be an eternity, time expired with Polson FC up by a goal.  The fans went crazy. The boys were champions.  This team really deserved what they got.  Our boys played with their hearts and never gave up.  

That is what it came down to.  We have been practicing since March and the team seemed to peak at the time it counts the most.  I am extremely proud of the entire team.  Of course, having fun it the main goal of any sport but ending the season like this makes it that much more fun.  

I’d like to thank the parents, fans, and volunteers for their support, time, and commitment.  It has been a fun season and all of you will be missed.

I’d also like to thank the Leader for its continued coverage of Polson FC and the community for its support.  We are a small club in a land full of giants actually competing and finding success.  

We are Polson, competing with teams from cities  like Billings, Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula.  I think that is impressive.  Currently, the club is working hard to develop a soccer field complex so we can host tournaments and extend our soccer seasons.  

Every year our numbers increase in both the competitive spring league and the fall recreation league and with our community behind us, maybe one day we’ll be one of the giants.