Cleveland nets pair as Pirates boot Vals

For a goalkeeper, nothing can be more exciting than the thought of scoring a goal yourself.

Polson senior Monica Cleveland, a keeper for the vast majority of her career, finally realized that dream, scoring twice in Polson’s 7-0 victory over Bigfork.

“Sarah Howell has been trying to help me get a goal for a long time,” Cleveland said. The senior added that it was a pretty special moment.

Cleveland has embraced her new role playing the field.

“Now that I’m out there, I feel like I can be a helper for the underclassmen,” she said.

Coach Michael Hewston said Cleveland’s influence stretches far beyond her presence on the field or newfound goal-scoring capabilities.

“I cannot measure Monica’s contribution,” Hewston said. “Monica has poise and direction in the way she leads. She is a silent leader.”

The coach went as far as to say that Cleveland saved the program in recent years.

“Last year … Monica organized the team,” he said. “[She] convinced six of her friends who had never played soccer that they should play. At least two of those players—Melina Jore and Kyrie Bitterman—are valued members of the team. Without Monica, [Polson girls] soccer would not have been able to field a team at all.”

This year, the Pirates are staring a playoff berth in the face entering Saturday’s final regular season contest at home against Libby.

In the middle of this season, Hewston moved Cleveland out of the box to bolster a young Pirate defense, sticking freshman Jenna Evertz in the net.

“The younger girls have worked with Jenna for a long time. They’re used to having her back there,” Cleveland said. “I know the team loves having her back there, and I do too. She’s somebody we can really trust.”

Hewston is glad to have Cleveland’s perspective out on the field now.

“On more than one instance, [Cleveland has] come to me with insight about issues on the team from a perspective that I, as the coach, would never have an angle on,” Hewston said. “She has an understanding for what we are trying to build here and buys into the idea.”

Hewston’s two goals were complemented by a hat trick from freshman Hanna Kasnitz in the 12th, 28th and 66th minutes.

The Pirates out-shot Bigfork 26-9 in the rout.

The win was just the rebound Polson needed after dropping a 4-0 contest at Whitefish last Tuesday.