Both boys and girls squads have plenty of young talent and play

with big hearts

Both the Mission Valley Christian Academy boys and girls teams have had successful seasons and are looking strong in future years to come.

The girls team just wrapped up a six-win season after going 2-1 in the Whitefish tournament last weekend, with dual 4-1 victories. It's particularly impressive considering the team is made up of a mixture of high schooland middle school-aged students taking on bigger Christian schools five times their enrollment.

"They've played really well and this is the first year that we've beat Stillwater Christian," head coach George Hart said. "We have a great defense and I think the teamwork is just amazing."

Goalkeeper Rachel Maddy had been making save after save in goal, while defenders Julie Maddy, Heather Frank and Jermimah Murphy played strong against opposing forwards. Jordan Lapka was the team's lone senior this year and played midfield, defender, goalie and forward during the season.

"We'll definitely miss her, she was a really good leader," Hart said.

Hart said that the team got lots of compliments from the other team after they played.

"I think that when the other teams recognize you, that says a lot," Hart said.

The boys team has won five matches this season and tied three times, and will be looking to prove something heading into the Montana Christian Athletic Association state tournament this weekend in Billings.

"We've got our formations that we want to stick with and I think we'll do well," coach Dever Graham said. "We definitely have a goal to shoot for."

Junior Ryan Windauer led the team with 17 goals this season, and last weekend, MVCA picked up a 2-0 win against Montana Academy and a 1-1 tie with Stillwater's JV squad.

"The team is good at working together," Graham said. "It took a little time to jell but we're getting stronger and stronger."

Graham has been happy with how things have been going and the scoring on the team has been balanced. Now they'll get to show their moxie to Montana at the state tournament.

"I'm proud of the team and I'm excited for the future," Graham said. MVCA's co-ed team is also undefeated, showing that the program at the Polson school is continuing to grow and excel.