BILLINGS — The Polson Pirates soccer program is quickly turning into a pipeline for colleges, and considering the type of athletes they’re producing, it should come as no surprise. Two seniors from this year’s team will be lacing up their soccer cleats this fall for Rocky Mountain College in Billings.

Nick Howell and Jon Murphy have signed as Battlin’ Bears after they helped lead the Pirates to a second-place finish in 2011. Both will compete on the NAIA Division I level and continue their soccer-playing careers while getting a college education.

BILLINGS — The Polson Pirates soccer program is quickly turning into a pipeline for colleges, and considering the type of athletes they’re producing, it should come as no surprise. Two seniors from this year’s team will be lacing up their soccer cleats this fall for Rocky Mountain College in Billings.

Nick Howell and Jon Murphy have signed as Battlin’ Bears after they helped lead the Pirates to a second-place finish in 2011. Both will compete on the NAIA Division I level and continue their soccer-playing careers while getting a college education.

“Being able to play soccer at the college level has been my dream since fifth grade,” Murphy said. “I was even more ecstatic to hear that I would be the first person in my family history to play a college sport, so the thought is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Murphy was an all-conference midfielder for the Pirates and had a knack for perfectly placed throw-ins. Howell was a smothering defenseman who earned all-state honors his senior season. Both were selected to play for the Montana United premier team that allows the state’s best talent to test their skills in tournaments across the nation against other accomplished players.

In fact, it was while playing for the Montana United team that Murphy first learned about Rocky Mountain College.

“I have to give big thanks to my mom and dad for driving me to Montana United practices and to all the colleges and giving me all their love and support,” Murphy said. “I hadn’t heard of Rocky until going up to one of the Montana United practices in Billings. Nick was going to visit the campus and talk with coaches. I wouldn’t have even looked at Rocky unless Nick had talked to me about it. The Rocky coach came to watch us practice with the Montana United team and offered us both a position on his team.”

The idea of playing as college teammates appealed to both Polson players, and the decision was a pretty easy one to make. Both players have been best friends since preschool and, according to their parents, have been as close as brothers.

“I had five or six schools looking at me and offering spots,” Howell said. “I took my visit to the campus with Jon and he decided that he liked the school and wanted to play together. I feel that having a teammate on the team will be nice and will make the transition easier.”

The visit to the campus showed both players an environment that they liked. Rocky Mountain College has a 60-acre suburban campus in Billings and enrolls just under 1,000 students.

“Rocky had a friendly environment and the kids were also easy going,” Murphy said. “I was looking for a well-rounded college. I didn’t want a tiny college or a huge college. With the size of the campus, it fits just right.”

Howell mirrored Murphy’s opinion on the school’s size and he also liked the vibe he got from the Rocky Mountain soccer team that finished 8-8 last season.

“After staying on campus with the team I really felt as though I could fit in with them,” Howell said.

The two also enjoyed the Rocky Mountain coaching staff, and they should know a thing or two about good coaches after playing four years at Polson under Montana Coach of the Year and Rocky Mountain Coach of the Year, Jess Kittle.

“The coaches know the sport extremely well and I know I will learn a lot from them,” Murphy said. “They are also very friendly and care what you do outside of soccer too.”

Murphy added that the Rocky Mountain soccer program is similar to Polson’s and hopes to progress as a soccer player as his college career unfolds. Howell sees plenty of potential playing for the Bears, and since the two are Polson soccer players, you know they’re used to winning games.

“I feel that the soccer program is really strong and is only going to get better,” Howell said. “I hope that by being on the team, I will improve my own skills as well as the others’ on the team.”

Howell plans on studying physical therapy at RMC, while Murphy wants to get a degree in either kinesiology or teaching.

Both, not surprisingly, want to minor in coaching. If the last few seasons are any indication, Murphy and Howell will have a bright future ahead of them.

“I feel that being able to play college soccer will be an extremely big accomplishment for me personally and that it will be a lot of fun for me to get an experience like this,” Howell said.