Polson FC girls soccer team picks up wins in season opener
<p>Photo courtesy of Annesha Taylor BACK ROW: U19 coach Heidi Howell, U16 head coach Heather Howell, JaNessa Taylor, Michelle Terry, Dayne Smith, Claire Hanke, Hannah Hobbs, Linnea Madsen, Rachel Maddy, Beatrix Frissell, Briala Forman, asst coach Spencer Kittle. FRONT ROW:† Amelia Pittsley, Kiana Snyder, Sarah Howell, Keely Clairmont, Jenna Evertz, Tiara Duford, Ellie Maddy, Ashlee Howell, Marina Mayorga. Photo courtesy of Annesha Taylor BACK ROW: U19 coach Heidi Howell, U16 head coach Heather Howell, JaNessa Taylor, Michelle Terry, Dayne Smith, Claire Hanke, Hannah Hobbs, Linnea M…
Lake County Leader
The Polson FC girls Under 16/Under 19 soccer squad kicked the season off to a good start this past weekend with a sweep of their competition in this season prequel.
They swept their first pair of games by a combined score of 10-1, then prevailed in the championship over the Missoula Strikers 2-0.
The regulation Montana Youth Soccer Association schedule begins April 11 as the Polson FC girls travel to Missoula.
Polson 6, Missoula 1
The Polson offense struck quickly to put a Missoula Strikers squad back on their heels.
The defensive front of Linnea Madsen, Hannah Hobbs, Beatrix Frisell and Dayne Smith stifled opponent ball movement.
SHOTS-ON-GOAL - Polson 16, Missoula 5
SAVES - Polson 5 (Jenna Evertz 4, Rachel Maddy 1, Claire Hanke), Missoula 6.
GOALS - 4' g Ashlee Howell (a Tiara Duford), 5' g Sarah Howell, 8' g Duford (a R.Maddy), 11' g Duford (assist Keely Clairmont), 29' g Ellie Maddy (assist Duford), 55' g Missoula Strikers, 64' g Duford (assist A.Howell).
indiv SOG - Michelle Terry, Briala Forman, Claire Hanke.
Polson 4, Flathead 0
Striker Tiara Duford sustained an early injury to force the Polson squad to accommodate, but coach Heather Howell commented that the Flathead Rapids team were outmatched by the Polson attack.
Outside midfielders Kiana Snyder, Keely Clairmont, JaNessa Taylor and Amelia Pittsley collaborated to decelerate the Rapids speed of attack, while keepers Jenna Evertz and Rachel Maddy maintained the shutout.
SHOTS-ON-GOAL - Polson 13, Flathead 5
SAVES - Polson 5 (Rachel Maddy 3, Jenna Evertz 2), Flathead 6
GOALS - 16' g Tiara Duford (assist Ashlee Howell), 54' g Sarah Howell (assist Linnea Madsen), 60' g S.Howell (assist Madsen), 68' g S.Howell
Championship - Polson 2 Missoula 0
The Polson girls prevailed in a tightly contested skirmish with the Strikers of Missoula.
Sarah Howell and Marina Mayorga anchored the midfield to lend support to the attack by strikers Ashlee Howell, Ellie Maddy and Rachel Maddy. With five minutes remaining, Howell broke through to seal the championship with a breakaway goal.
SAVES - Polson 5 (Jenna Evertz), Missoula 9
GOALS - 14' g Ashlee Howell (assist Sarah Howell), 65' g A.Howell (assist S.Howell)