Polson soccer team wins showcase championship
The Polson FC U-11 Girls soccer team claiming the championship in Kalispell includes (left to right): back row – coach Adam Fansher, Elynn Bird, Abigail Pobran, Alia Johnson, Adaleigh Whealon, Emily Simonich and coach Heather Howell; front row – coach Makenzie Wegner, Paisley Williams, Kayla Grainey, Amelia Lies, Madison Emerson, Anna Fansher, Alexis Clave Missing Scarlett Kabacinzki, Cozette Gage and Kaylee Smith.
The Polson FC U-11 Girls soccer team came home from the Montana Showcase Tournament with a championship title, after going undefeated in the tournament and beating the Flathead Rapids 4-2 in the final game. The showcase was held June 17-18 in Kalispell.
The team ended the weekend with wins against Flathead (5-2), Bigfork (5-1), and Billings (4-1) to claim their first championship title. Goals were scored by Amelia Lies (9), Cozette Gage (2), Emily Simonich (2), Abigail Pobran (2), Alia Johnson (1), Alexis Clave (1), and Madison Emerson (1). Assists were given by Abigail Pobran (4), Emily Simoich (4), Anna Fansher (1), Alexis Clave (1), and Paisley Williams (1).
Standout defensive play by Elynn Bird, Kaylee Smith, Adaleigh Whealon and Cozette Gage, along with strong goalkeeper efforts from Madison Emerson, Kayla Grainey, and Adaleigh Whealon, allowed Polson to finish the tournament with only six goals scored on them. A constant attack from the Polson offense led to a total of 18 goals for the weekend, and an impressive 70 goals for the season.
Despite missing some players for single games and Scarlett Kabacinzki for the entire weekend, strong contributions from all of the players helped propel Polson to their championship title, say coaches Adam Fansher, Heather Howell and Makenzie Wegner, who predict “this championship title is sure to be their first of many.”