Looking back, Josh Osborne wishes he had made this decision — to play soccer — during his freshman year at Flathead High School.

Or maybe even in junior high.

“I wish I would have gone out earlier, a long time ago,” he said Tuesday after practice.

“I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”

This far has been for one year. This far also means there is more to come.

Osborne and the Braves will be competing in the Class AA state soccer tournament today for the first time in eight years. Flathead faces two-time defending state champion Bozeman at 2:30 p.m. at Siebel Fields in Great Falls.

The tournament runs through Saturday.

Osborne is the team’s starting goalie. He made the varsity this fall with no previous soccer experience.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of my teammates and my coaches,” he said.

“I’m glad I went out, glad we have done so well so far. I hope we can pull through at state.”

Osborne played football his freshman year at Flathead. He was safety.

“I didn’t love it,” he said.

“I’d rather watch it than play it.”

So, when his sophomore year rolled around, he opted for golf.

“I had some friends on it (golf team) and I needed something to do,” he said.

“I decided I may as well try that. It would be something to keep me busy.”

He also golfed his junior year. He was on the junior varsity team both times.

But on a trip to Seattle last summer, Osborne, like much of U.S., caught the soccer bug.

“I watched the World Cup (in Seattle),” he said.

“I found it interesting and fun to watch.”

He said on his flight back to Kalispell, he watched part of the U.S. versus Germany match in an airport.

“I had talked to my friends before I went to Seattle (about soccer),” he said.

“I told them I was thinking about it.”

His soccer friends contacted Flathead boys coach Dan Ferguson, who then called Osborne.

Osborne met Ferguson at a friendly match in Whitefish during the summer. From there Osborne was put in touch with Whitefish keeper coach Mark Galbraith.

“I worked with him four times to understand what I was suppose to be doing and get a feel for it,” Osborne said.

“He was real encouraging. He thought I could continue to improve my skills throughout the season if I made it. I was athletic enough for him.”

Checking in at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Osborne has the perfect size for that position.

“It’s a tough position to play, a lot of decision making,” Osborne said.

“When the other team is coming at you, you have to decide whether or not to go for the ball. It’s only something you can learn by playing.”

Osborne’s friends had suggested he play as a defender. Osborne said he didn’t give that much thought.

“I can’t handle the ball very well with my feet,” he said.

“I can’t play those other positions, too. I thought if I can’t use my feet, why not use my hands.”

Five goalies showed up for tryouts before the fall season started. Two made the junior varsity roster and Osborne was one of two to make varsity.

Before the season began, the other varsity goalie quit.

“I was pretty nervous cause I never played before,” Osborne said.

“I wasn’t sure how I would be able to handle it, but was also excited I made the team and would get to play.”

His first test was a nonconference jamboree outing in Helena versus two schools from Billings. Flathead beat Skyview 3-1, lost to Senior, 2-0.

“Skyview, I was really nervous for that,” he said.

“The seniors were real supportive, said I could do it.”

Skyview spoiled his debut by scoring once.

“I was disappointed,” he said.

“They (teammates) just told me to keep my head up, that not all the goals are my fault and to keep playing no matter what.”

It didn’t get an easier, but Osborne said he felt more comfortable in goal with each passing match.

His biggest test was in the state play-in match versus second-seeded Helena High in Helena on Oct. 23.

Helena had beaten Flathead twice during the regular season, 4-1 in Helena on Sept. 11 and 2-0 in Kalispell on Oct. 17.

“We were excited, we were confident we could play against them,” Osborne said of the matchup with the Bengals.

“We had some good games before (with them), we were hopeful. The coaches were really encouraging. They thought we could beat them.”

A goal by Jace Darrow, in the 25th minute gave Flathead the early lead.

Helena scored at 57 and 59 minutes to go up 2-1.

 Sam Clarin, in the 69th, scored for Flathead to tie it.

Both teams battled through two 10-minute scoreless overtime periods, setting up a shootout.

“First time for a lot of the kids on the team,” Osborne said of playing in a shootout.

“I was nervous, but we practiced during the week in case it came to that.”

Helena missed its first penalty kick, wide right. The Bengals made their second attempt.

 “The third (shot) I was able to save, it was low and to my right. The fact I saved it got the team fired up. We made all four to their two.”

That gave Flathead the thrilling victory.

“After we won that game, it was an amazing feeling seeing how excited the team was ... jumping up and down and hugging each other. It was great.

“I’m just happy for the kids who have been playing it for all these years,” he continued.

“It showed their heart.

“The team has been real accepting of me and supportive. That helped me a lot, too. If not, that would have made it a lot tougher for me.”

Ferguson says Osborne has been a wonderful addition to the team.

“A kid, in his senior year, to try and play a new sport, that’s unheard of,” Ferguson said.

“He’s not only done that, but at a specialty position. He’s the last line of defense. He’s embraced it.

“In the tryout, he was raw in the sense of his technique. He didn’t know the rules of the game, didn’t know how to come off his line and close the angle with a forward coming at you. We had to teach him the different scenarios that arise in a soccer game.”

Ferguson said Osborne was a fast learner and has developed into a solid goalie.

“He’s a completely different player now,” Ferguson said.

“He has a senior year under his belt, he’s confident and he believes in himself. He comes out and wins balls in the air. He also gives instructions to his backline. That’s huge for a goalkeeper.”

This marked the second year Flathead had a rookie in goal. Last year a position player — Chandler Escalante — held that position.

“We had five try out this year,” Ferguson said of goalies.

“That’s the most we’ve ever had.

“If a kid wants to try out, we don’t look at his resume, but what can he add to the team,” Ferguson added.

“What Josh lacked in his initial technique, he made up for in his demeanor, personality and tenacity.”