Perhaps it’s early to be looking at standings, but Polson’s girls soccer team sits tied atop the Northern A district.

The non-league schedule has been a little tougher to the Pirates. Polson split on the week, beating Loyola, 3-0, and falling to Hamilton, 7-1.

In Missoula, Sarah Howell concocted a hat trick to quell the Breakers. The junior scored in the 24th, 38th and 54th minutes.

Polson outshot Loyola 20-3 in the contest.

“This was by far the most physical game the girls have played,” coach Michael Hewston said. “It was a lesson in the need for speed of play.”

Hewston was excited to see youngster Alana Fox step up in the game. The freshman took four shots on goal.

“Fox really has the ability to be a leading scorer for Polson as she matures in her playing ability,” he said.

Hamilton was a different story. After the 7-1 defeat, Hewston said that Hamilton was “by far the best team” they had taken on this season.

Polson was able to find the net once, as Kyrie Bitterman found Tessa Nunlist for her first score of the season.

“I really liked the way we were able to tone down the attack in the second half, even scoring on a team that appeared to be untouchable in the first half,” Hewston said.

His main takeaway from the defeat was that the girls have a lot of work to do if they want to compete in the postseason.