A 13-1 conference record and Western AA Division crown gave way to an early postseason loss for the Glacier boys soccer team in 2023. 

Then they started this season with a tragedy — a lightning strike at practice severely injured underclassman Mason Schaefer, who remains in intensive care — and now the matches begin today.  

The Glacier girls face Missoula Sentinel at 3 p.m., and the boys follow at 5. 

“We’re going into this with fresh eyes,” Wolfpack coach Ryen Billiett said. “We’re just honored to represent our school and the community that supports us.  

“I want people to know how much we care about Mason, and the incident that impacted his family. We’re just thankful for the opportunity to play in front of our community and to honor our community.” 

Three senior starters return from last year’s team, led by Liam Ells. The reigning Western AA Player of the Year had 13 goals and 13 assists in 2023. The midfielder is just returning to form after a leg injury suffered during track season. 

“It’s nice to see him back,” Billiett said. “Guys are happy, he’s happy. Biggest smile we’ve seen in a long time.” 

Elias Holly and Bryce Remley, both defenders, are the other returning starters. Holly earned all-Western AA honors last fall.  

There are more seniors besides, including Brayden Jenkinson, a forward who played through injury and scored six goals, and AJ Zloger, who scored twice for the 2023 Pack. 

“He wasn’t 100 percent last season and it's nice to see him strong, and another year under his belt,” Billiett said of Jenkinson.  

Junior forward Cash Treweek is a returner, as is sophomore midfielder Isaac Weaks, and Billiett is excited about an influx of talented freshmen.   

The Glacier girls have a similar influx, and Wolfpack coach Doug Mello feels that will help his team improve on last season’s 6-8 mark in league matches. 

Graduated is high-scoring forward Reagan Brisendine to the University of Montana; in are ninth-graders Addison Brisendine (Reagan’s sister), forward Gracie Winkler, midfielder Neve Travis and keeper Aarin Todd. 

They should complement a senior group led by all-Western AA defender Reese Ramey and fellow senior co-captain Emmery Schmidt, who had five goals in 2023. There also Addie Jensen, Abby Hewitt and Ameelia Remley. 

Winkler brought an MVP award from Montana Grizzlies camp this summer; that and some promising performances in scrimmages with Whitefish and Columbia Falls lend confidence that Reagan Brisendine’s absence won’t pinch too much. 

“You hope that the rest of the group picks up the slack on the scoring end, but I think we’re stronger defensively and in the midfield,” Mello said. “We’ll see how it all works out in the wash. 

“Patience will be a little bit of a virtue. We’re going up against teams with a big lineup of seniors. There’s always a bit of a learning curve, but I believe it won’t take us long to get out there and start playing winning soccer.”