Lady Pirates mix experience and youth with positive attitude for

postseason berth

HAMILTON - Great strides were made this season for the Polson Lady Pirate soccer program. The players approached the game with a new philosophy and a mixture of veteran skill and young talent came together at the right time to help push Polson to their first postseason berth in nearly a decade.

"Making the playoffs was really good," Polson head coach Michael Hewston. "It really showcased that they could compete at that level."

Competing was the focus of the Lady Pirates, who had gone through some seasons in the past without much success, and there was a definite change in attitude and the way players approached the game.

That approach earned them five wins and a .500 conference record in a stacked Northern A league that featured two of the state's best teams in Whitefish and Columbia Falls.

"Their goal was to compete and I'm just proud of how well they achieved that," Hewston said.

Their hard work paid off and the Lady Pirates had a first round playoff game against Southern A conference champion Hamilton last Saturday on the road. Polson put nine shots on goal and sophomore goalkeeper Monica Cleveland made nine saves but Hamilton came away with the 4-0 victory.

Hamilton had a 3-0 lead at halftime, and scored one goal in the second half. Even though it was a loss, this whole year will be a win for the Polson soccer program. While eight seniors will depart because of graduation, there was an influx of young talent that came into the forefront as well this season.

Young, eager players like Keely Clairmont, Linnea Madsen, Sarah Howell, Grace Rehbein and Shannon McGinnis along with sophomores Monica Cleveland and Olivia Hart will provide a foundation for the Lady Pirates for years to come.

"The plan is to build on what we started this year," Hewston said.