U18/19 Polson FC Girls team opens eyes at tourney
The Polson FC U-19 Girls soccer team brought home another first place finish at the 3 Blind Refs Tournament in Kalispell this past weekend. With a tournament record of 3 wins and 1 loss, Polson scored 10 goals for and allowed only 4 goals against. Goals came from Ashlee Howell (2), Tiara Duford (4), Marina Mayorga (1), Sarah Howell (2), and Jenna Evertz (1) with assists from Keely Clairmont (2), Ashlee Howell (2), Tiara Duford (2), Sarah Howell (2), and Jenna Evertz (1). Goalkeepers Rachel Maddy and Jenna Evertz each posted one shutout this weekend.
Polson kicked off the tournament with a 2-0 win over a tough Sandpoint Strikers team. Goals in the 28th minute from Ashlee Howell (assisted by Keely Clairmont) and the 36th minute by Tiara Duford (assisted by Ashlee Howell) were enough to secure the win for Polson. A strong defensive effort by Hannah Hobbs, Brenna Clarke, and Marina Mayorga, coupled with great goalkeeping by Rachel Maddy, allowed Polson to hold Sandpoint to a shutout. Midfielders Sophie Sisler, Celeste Rehbein, Annie Liddle Broberg, and Linnea Madsen were quick to pressure the ball in the middle of the field helping to stop additional Sandpoint attacks. Polson was missing additional wing players Kiana Snyder, Alana Fox, and Sarah Newell over the weekend.
The Polson girls faced their second game of the day on Saturday against the Flathead Force. Missing Brenna Clarke and Hannah Hobbs due to graduation, Polson turned to their depth on the bench and adjusted their lineup to replace the two defenders. Although Polson was able to tally 12 shots on goal, the Force defense kept them from finding the back of the net. A strong attack led by Sarah Howell, Ashlee Howell, Duford, and Amber Clarke kept the Force on their heels until the final minutes; however, Flathead came away with a 3-0 win over Polson.
After the tough loss on Saturday night, Polson came back fired up on Sunday and started the day with a 5-1 win over the Columbia Valley Titans. The Polson goals came in the 3rd minute by Ashlee Howell (assisted by Tiara Duford), 39th minute by Marina Mayorga (penalty kick), 42nd minute by Sarah Howell (assisted by Tiara Duford), 55th minute by Jenna Evertz (assisted by Sarah Howell), and 56th minute by Sarah Howell (assisted by Jenna Evertz). A lone goal by Columbia Valley was scored in the 46th minute. Polson had several other near looks on goal from Michelle Terry, Amelia Pittsley, Keely Clairmont, and Alexis Maddy.
In the last game of the tournament, the Polson girls knew they had to secure a win against The Academy Idaho to take home the gold medals. Despite the heat and fatigue, Polson came out firing and proved their desire to win, outscoring Idaho 3-0. Goalkeeper Jenna Evertz and the defensive trio of Hobbs, Brenna Clarke, and Mayorga shut down the Idaho attack quickly, giving the Polson attack numerous opportunities to push hard for goal. Tiara Duford earned a hat-trick with goals in the 40th minute (assisted by Sarah Howell), 51st minute (assisted by Keely Clairmont), and 54th minute (assisted by Ashlee Howell). Strong wing play by Beatrix Frissell, JaNessa Taylor, Alexis Maddy, Amber Clarke, and Keely Clairmont contributed to the heavy Polson attack.
Thus far, the Polson girls have placed at all three tournaments they have participated in this season, with first place finishes at the 3 Blind Refs Tournament and the Canyon Rim Classic, along with a second place finish at the Stevensville Classic Tournament. Polson will finish out their season this weekend at the Montana State Cup in Great Falls and hopes to bring home their final gold medal of the year.
Three Blind Refs Tournament
Saturday-Sunday,
June 4-5, 2016
Kalispell, MT
U18 Polson FC 2, Sandpoint Strikers 0 (gm1)
Sandpoint 0 0 – 0
Polson 1 1 – 2
P – g Ashlee Howell (a Keely Clairmont) 28’
P – g Tiara Duford (a A.Howell) 36’
SHOTS – Polson 9, Sandpoint 10
SAVES – Polson 9 (Rachel Maddy), Sandpoint 5
CORNERS – Polson 1, Sandpoint 6
U17 Flathead Force 3, U18 Polson FC 0 (gm2)
Polson 0 0 – 0
Flathead 0 3 – 3
F – 3g 32’, 40’, 50’
SHOTS – Polson 13, Flathead 8
SAVES – Polson 5 (Jenna Evertz), Flathead 7
CORNERS – Polson 4, Flathead 3
U18 Polson FC 5, Columbia Valley Titans 1 (gm3)
Polson 1 4 – 5
C.Valley 0 1 – 1
P – g Ashlee Howell (a Tiara Duford) 3’
P – g Marina Mayorga pk 39’
P – g Sarah Howell (a Duford) 42’
CV – g 46’
P – g Jenna Evertz (a S.Howell) 55’
P – g S.Howell (a Evertz) 56’
SHOTS – Polson 16, CV 8
SAVES – polson 4 (Rachel Maddy), CV 8
CORNERS – Polson 5, CV 1
U18 Polson FC 3, The Academy Idaho 0
Striker Tiara Duford “T”ed off for a hat trick during the second half of play.
Polson 0 3 – 3
Academy 0 0 – 0
P – g Tiara Duford (a Sarah Howell) 40’
P – g Duford (a Keely Clairmont) 51’
P – g Duford (a Ashlee Howell) 54’
SHOTS – Polson 19, Academy 2
SAVES – Polson 2 (Jenna Evertz), Academy 9
CORNERS – Polson 3, Academy 1