This past weekend, four area multiple all-state decorated athletes competed in the 20th Annual Shodair Soccer Classic in Helena, an event that showcases top tier talent with proficiency on the pitch from around the state while highlighting the endeavors of Shodair Children’s Hospital.

For the girls segment, three-time all-state honoreee Ashlee Howell competed on the West roster. For the boys segment, the three-pronged Pirate attack of multiple all-staters Mack Moderie, Robin Erickson and Bridger Wenzel infused the West roster along with a quartet of SWA Frenchtown Broncs and the remainder Western AA players.

Girls Shodair Classic

One of the few potent scoring chances for the West transpired in the 38th minute when University of Providence-bound Ashlee Howell (Polson) picked the pocket of the East defender intent on clearing ball, then beat the intervention of East goalkeeper Lainey Bosch (Billings Skyview, State AA champs).

Howell unleashed her salvo, but her smash was mere inches offline as it glanced off the left post. For the metric minded, that translates into mere millimeters from notching the go-ahead goal.

The other viable scoring opportunity was a free kick by Kaylee Ashe (Columbia Falls) also during the second half. The trajectory of Ashe’s kick would have arched into the right corner of the net, but East keeper Bosch deflected it away.

The East likewise had a pair of potential scoring opportunities.

In the first half, Hana Scott (Bozeman) had a shot on goal. In the second half, Ally Cleverly (Butte) had her shot blocked by West goalkeeper Ellie Stock (Helena) just before more lightning was spotted that would end the game that much earlier than the already abridged reduction on account of inclimate weather.

West coach Courtney Shields was impressed by the caliber of talent displayed by the two Class A players among the majority field of AA athletic talent.

Boys Shodair Classic

After a scoreless first half during the boys segment of the Shodair Classic, the East would tickle the twine at the back of the net when Bozeman’s Ted Scott notched a goal. Hellgate’s Matt Baldridge would net the equalizer for the West shortly thereafter to knot the score a one apiece.

Polson’s Mack Moderie would net the go ahead goal that would turn out to be the game winner when his teammate passed the ball into open space along the right wing much like clouds parting overhead to reveal a slice of open sky.

Moderie’s foot intercepted the ball before the defense could converge to slam the door on a window of vulnerability and the ball scooted past East keeper Luke Turner (Belgrade) for the 2-1 lead. Defense would ensure that nothing would change after that.

The Polson Pirates soccer continues to build itself in both boys, and girls, as they proved that again in a state-wide showcase that Polson continues to improve on building top-caliber soccer players, and a program.

20th Annual Shodair Soccer Classic

Nelson Stadium, Carroll College

Helena, MT

Thursday-Saturday, July 11-13, 2019

Girls Shodair Classic

East 0, West 0

SAVES – East (Lainey Bosch), West (Ellie Stock)

indiv sh(sog) – WEST (1st half): Quinn Peacock: over; Kinzi Adams; Melina Hammer; (2nd half): Ashlee Howell (off Lpost) 38’; Kaylee Ashe (fk on frame, deflected by gk); EAST (1st half): Hana Scott (1); (2nd half): Ally Cleverly (1 blocked).

Coaches – West: Courtney Shields (Missoula Big Sky), East: Cameron Icenoggle (Billings Skyview)

(Sa13Jul19gm1)

Boys Shodair Classic

West 2, East 1

East 0 1 – 1

West 0 2 – 2

E – g Ted Scott 32’

W – g Matt Baldridge 35’

W – g Mack Moderie (a Frtwn player)

SAVES – East (Luke Turner), West (Max Warnell)

indiv sh(sog) – EAST: Zach Langel: ck; Caleb Borgstrom: wideL; WEST (1st half): Matt Baldridge 2(g); Mack Moderie (g).

Coaches – West: Gary Stein (Missoula Sentinel), East: Hunter Terry (Bozeman)

(Sa13Jul19gm2)

Shodair MVPs – Ally Cleverly (Butte), Walt Hollensteiner (Flathead)

NOTE: individual shots (shots-on-goal) may not be comprehensive

Accrued athletic accolade acknowledgements

Bridger Wenzel (BSC 3x a-s, 3x a-c 1st-tm; WR: 4x a-s 152 2nd, 132 2nd, 126 3rd, 120 3rd; 4x a-c, 3x div champion: 152 1st, 132 1st, 126 2nd, 120 1st; TN: 1x a-c D 3rd), Robin Erickson (BSC: 2x a-s, 2x a-c 1st-tm; BBB: hm), Mack Moderie (BSC: 2x a-s, 2x a-c 1st-tm), Ashlee Howell (GSC 3x a-s, 4x a-c 1st-tm).

Cumulative prep career – Mack Moderie MHSA43g33a, Robin Erickson MHSA37g34a(+jv7g2a), Bridger Wenzel MHSA14g16a(+jv1g), Ashlee Howell MHSA45g52a(1kfpm) + *MYSA59g51a(1kfpm) = MHSA+MYSA 104g103a(2kfpm)(2g disallowed). Asterisk (*) denotes some tournament data may not have be comprehensive.