POLSON — The Columbia Falls boys clinched a conference championship for the first time in 11 years with a 2-1 win over Polson on Saturday afternoon.

Polson controlled most of the first half but it was Columbia Falls that struck first, on a goal from Logan Stephens in the 37th minute.

Stephens added a security goal in the second half, giving the Wildcats all the space they would need. Polson junior Andrew Hanson scored in the final minute of play prevent the shutout.

“Polson completely owned us in the first half,” Wildcats coach O’Brien Byrd said. “They were all over us. We had to make some big-time adjustments at halftime.

“Our most valuable player was (goalkeeper) Brandon Karberg. Polson rained in shots in the first half. He kept us in the game. Polson could’ve ran away with it. He kept us in it, allowed us to score right before halftime.”

Polson outshot Columbia Falls 9-6 in the contest and had four corner kicks to the Wildcats two.

The win marks the first time since 2005 that the Columbia Falls boys have won their conference. That was also the last year the Wildcats won the state championship.

Columbia Falls 1 1 — 2

Polson 0 1 — 1

CF — Logan Stephens (Jon Sigurdsson), 37:00

CF — Stephens (Brandon Karberg), 55:00

POL — Andrew Hanson (unassisted), 80:00

Shots — Columbia Falls 6, Polson 9. Saves — Columbia Falls 8 (Karberg), Polson 3 (Russell Smith). Corner kicks — Columbia Falls 2, Polson 4. Fouls — Columbia Falls 11, Polson 9. Cards — Columbia Falls, yellow.

Libby 2, Stillwater Christian 0

LIBBY — The Loggers scored once in each half to cruise to a nonconference win over Stillwater Christian.

Colin Maloney scored the first Libby goal in the 25th minute, with Bryant Reis picking up the assist. Maloney assisted on Tyler Lucas’ goal in the 69th minute to round out the scoring.

Libby (5-4-1) had 14 shots on goal to two for the Cougars. Ryan Nagle made two saves to earn a clean sheet for the Loggers.

“I think my guys played well,” Stillwater Christian coach Ryan O’Rourke said. “We’re a young team this year and we’re working hard. That’s what I like to see.”

Stillwater 0 0 — 0

Libby 1 1 — 2

LIB — Colin Maloney (Bryant Reis), 25:00

LIB — Tyler Lucas (Maloney), 69:00

Shots on goal — Stillwater 2, Libby 14. Saves — Stillwater 12 (Zack Basnett 6, Isaac Neumann 6), Libby 2 (Ryan Nagle). Corner kicks — Stillwater 1, Libby 7. Fouls — Stillwater 4, Libby 10. Cards — None.

GIRLS

Polson 1, Columbia Falls 1

POLSON — Sophomore Kaylee Ashe potted the equalizer in the 42nd minute and Columbia Falls survived an onslaught of Polson pressure to earn a draw in a Northern A conference match.

The Pirates (7-2-1, 4-1-1 Northern A) put 14 shots on goal but Madeline Jarvis made 13 saves to keep the Wildkats even. Columbia Falls (5-4-1, 2-3-1) mustered only four shots on goal.

“We just couldn’t find the back of the net,” Polson coach Michael Hewston said. “But it’s Columbia Falls, they’re a quality program.”

Polson’s score came in the 24th minute, when Tiara Duford tallied her 20th of the season, off an assist from Amber Clarke.

The Pirates host league-leading Whitefish Tuesday at 5 p.m.

Columbia Falls 0 1 — 1

Polson 1 0 — 1

POL — Tiara Duford (Amber Clarke), 24:00

CF — Kaylee Ashe (unassisted), 42:00

Shots on goal — Columbia Falls 4, Polson 14. Saves — Columbia Falls 13 (Madeline Jarvis), Polson 3 (Jenna Evertz). Corner kicks — Columbia Falls 3, Polson 3. Fouls — Columbia Falls 4, Polson 4. Cards — None.