Senior goalkeeper Kira Kamrud knew she had to go one way or the other. She chose the right way, blocked the shot, and the Columbia Falls Wildkats are headed to the state A soccer championship.

The Kats beat Livingston 1-1 (4-2) in overtime Oct. 20 to make it to the finals. After both teams played to a draw in two overtime periods, the game came down to a shoot-out, and the Kats’ hopes largely hinged on Kamrud.

“I knew I had to stop something,” she said after the game. “I knew I had to be there. I had to pick one side and go for it.”

Kamrud guessed right, blocked a Livingston shot and secured the victory for the Kats.

Livingston gave the Kats all they could handle. Angelica Silverstrone put the Rangers up 1-0 at the 13-minute mark, as the Kats were flat in the first half.

The Kats played better in the second half and had plenty of shots on goal, but they couldn’t find the back of the net until Danielle Delventhal hammered a shot from beyond the 18 that hit the crossbar. Haley Purdy then swooped in and knocked in the rebound to tie the game at the 76-minute mark.

Both teams then played great defense through regulation and both overtimes. A stiff wind made shooting tough at the south end of the field, and that’s where the shoot-out took place. Delventhal, Alexi Corbett, Meagan Seliger and Katie Price all scored to put the Kats up in the shoot-out, and Kamrud saved Angie Gelderloos’s shot to preserve the victory.

This is Kats’ first appearance in the state Class A championship since 2004.

“The girls made history,” coach Greg Trenerry said. “We played a lot better in the second half. They came out hard on us.”

The Kats now face undefeated Billings Central in the finale. Billings Central has won the title four years in a row.

They beat the Kats 3-0 on Sept. 7 at home, so Columbia Falls will be looking to even the score.

Billings Central plays a very tough defense. Only two teams, Whitefish and Laurel, have scored a goal on them this year. Whitefish lost to Billings Central 2-1 in the semifinal of this year’s playoffs.

The Kats are playing well, and the first game against Billings Central was without Purdy, who has made a big impact on the Kats’ offense this season. Game time is Saturday, Oct. 27, at 11 a.m. at home. It should be a memorable match.

Columbia Falls 0 1 0 0 - 1

L - Angelica Silvestrone (assist Emily Fochs), 13:00

C - Haley Purdy, Danielle Delventhal, 76:00

Penalty shootout

Livingston - Julia Deen (goal), Haley Dowdell (miss), Angie Gelderloos (saved), Angelica Silvestrone (goal).

Columbia Falls - Danielle Delventhal (goal), Alexi Corbett (goal), Meagan Seliger (goal), Haley Purdy (miss), Katie Price (goal).

Shots - Livingston 8, Columbia Falls 14. Saves - Livingston 11 (Mia Stewart), Columbia Falls 5 (Kira Kamrud). Corner kicks - Livingston 4, Columbia Falls 4. Total fouls - Livingston 3, Columbia Falls 6. Yellow cards - none. Red cards - none.