The Flathead Lacrosse High School varsity team persevered through heavy rains and cold temperatures in Bozeman to emerge from the Montana State Lacrosse Championship Tournament as runner-up state champions. Flathead lost to defending champion Hellgate High School 16-4 in the tournament finals on Sunday.

The Flathead team, composed of high school players from Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls, entered the state tournament ranked third in only its second competitive season.

Flathead faced off against rising power Billings in the quarterfinals on Saturday morning and prevailed 8-3. In the semifinals, Flathead upset the second-ranked Polson Ten Sticks club in a 10-5 shoot-out and advanced to its first state championship game.

The championship game was played in a steady downpour at the Montana State University field. The teams battled to a 2-2 tie in the first quarter and entered halftime with Hellgate leading 5-2. In the second half, Hellgate’s fast break offense and stingy defense proved too much for the Flathead team, and Hellgate pulled away in the third quarter to cement its second consecutive state title.

Columbia Falls High School junior Garrett Role ended the season as a leading defensive midfielder for the Flathead team. Columbia Falls sophomore Henry Chisholm finished the season with 14 goals and 20 assists in 12 games, ranking him seventh in the state in scoring and earning him an All-State nomination.

The Flathead team will return eight starters as it renews its quest for a state title next Spring.