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It was one of those games when any mistake, misplaced pass, or mental lapse could cost the team the match.
“I was a little scared when the game first started,” said Flathead’s sophomore keeper Jana Tresler of the girls’ championship soccer game on Oct. 31 in Kalispell. This year’s contenders for the state title were the Helena Capital Lady Bruins and the Flathead Bravettes.
“I knew we were going to have a game on our hands,” said Tresler.
Helena kept Flathead’s hands full, and the Lady Bruins prevailed in the end with a 2-1 victory to claim a third state champion title in a row.
“It was a tough game,” said FHS head coach John Stephens. “A couple of breaks either way and we could have won 3-2 or lost 8-1.”
The game was hard-fought from beginning to end, with each team dangerous on the attack and solid on defense. Flathead held Helena to a 0-0 tie until late in the first half. Capital’s sophomore forward Katie Roberts opened the scoring with a chip over Tresler to give Helena a 1-0 lead at half.
“I was excited about our play at half-time,” said Stephens. “The girls were a little down, but I was real happy. We were finally able to put two good halves together, which we had trouble with during the regular season. They (Capital) haven’t seen pressure like that in a while.”
In the middle of the second half, Capital found the back of the net again. This time the goal was on a 25-yard shot by sophomore mid-fielder Laura Morin.
The Lady Bruins were up 2-0, but it was Flathead junior forward Erika Rauk and senior mid-fielder/forward Crystal Herzog who put together the next goal. Rauk headed the ball to mid-fielder Herzog, who was waiting at the far post. After seconds of bouncing off players in front of the net, Herzog managed to pound the ball in and close the gap on Capital’s lead.
“I was like: Okay. Good. We scored,” said Rauk.
That score encouraged the Bravettes, who rallied hard for a comeback, but fell just short. At the end of 80 minutes of soccer, Helena Capital held the edge on the score board.
“I thought we’d given them a good game and I was proud of the girls,” said Stephens. “We played as well as we could against them. When you play your best, you can’t be disappointed.”
As the last FHS game for the graduating seniors, spirits were a little lower.
“I felt very discouraged,” said senior mid-fielder Laura Brown. “It’s not exactly what I wanted.”
“I was hoping for gold, but the silver medal will add very nicely to the collection I have on my wall,” Brown said.
According to Stephens, the seniors played well throughout the season. “They made some really positive adjustments. The girls played different positions and stepped into leadership roles.”
Some underclassmen are already looking toward the 1999 season.
“We’re going to work our tails off next year,” said Rauk. “We’re ready for a comeback.”
Tresler agreed, saying: “Helena’s going down.” |
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