Helena (8-0-4 league) quickly answered a Flathead (4-5-3) equalizer in the first half to ride out a 2-1 win and clinch the Western AA conference championship in girls soccer on Friday at Kidsports Complex.

The Bengals entered the match trailing Sentinel by two points in the standings and needed the win to take the conference title and a bye into the state tournament.

After Helena took an early lead on a goal from Aine Lawlor, Bravettes junior Jaymee Siler evened the score at 1-1 in the 23rd minute on an assist from Alexa May.

Helena answered shortly after that, Jennifer Fife scoring the eventual game-winner in the 24th minute.

“Helena came out strong,” Bravettes coach Cory Wilson said.

“They were playing for a conference championship, so we knew that they would. We were playing for seeding too.

“Both teams played very hard. It was difficult for either team to get long-standing possessions because of the defensive energy.”

The two squads split the stats almost evenly, with each getting four corner kicks and five fouls.

Flathead’s Zoe Zander made five saves to Helena’s six and the Bengals outshot the Bravettes just 10-8.

Flathead is in the fourth seed with the loss. The Bravettes entered the day in third, two points ahead of Glacier, but a Wolfpack win against Capital on Friday leapfrogged it ahead of Flathead.

Flathead will entertain Helena Capital on Thursday in a state playoff match.

Helena High 2 0 — 2

Flathead 1 0 — 1

HELENA HIGH — Aine Lawlor, 8:00; Jennifer Fife, 24:00

FLATHEAD — Jaymee Siler (Alexa May), 23:00

Shots on goal — Helena10, Flathead 8; Goalie saves — Helena 6 (Shanna Floerchinger), Flathead 5 (Zoe Zander); Corner kicks — Helena 4, Flathead 4. Fouls — Helena 5, Flathead 5. Cards — None.

Boys

Helena High 2, Flathead 0

Andrew Frank scored at 32 minutes and Anders Harris added an insurance goal at 64 as Helena High posted a Western AA victory.

Helena had 27 shots on goal to 10 for Flathead.

Up next for Flathead (3-10-0 overall, 2-10-0 league) is a playoff match on the road next week.

Helena High 1 1 — 2

Flathead 0 0 — 0

HELENA HIGH — Andrew Frank, 32:00; Anders Harris (Frank), 64:00

Shots on goal – Helena 17, Flathead 10; Goalie saves — NA; Corner kicks – Helena 3, Flathead 3; Fouls – Helena 18, Flathead 6; Cards — Helena 2 yellow, Flathead 2 yellow.