After Doug Mello accepted the job as Glacier girls soccer coach in 2023, he got himself a summer introduction to the Wolfpack. 

There’s Reagan Brisendine, she of the 57 career goals (soon to be 84); over here are Calista Wroble, and Emmery Schmidt. 

And over here... “I had this smiling, redheaded player greeting me,” Mello said of Reese Ramey. “I knew right then she was a character and a force to be reckoned with.” 

Ramey is one of seven seniors on a nine-win Glacier squad that has a State AA soccer playoff game with Helena Capital today at 3 p.m., at Legends Stadium. 

He wouldn’t trade any of the seniors, of course, but Ramey more or less glues the team together. She’s gone from playing middle to the back end and back to middle again, on a team that has mixed in a bunch of talented freshmen and flourished. 

“When I came around last year she was voted one of our team captains, along with Brisendine,” Mello said. “She’s been a consistent, steady force in the improvement of the squad. 

“Always a smile on her face, goes hard in every practice and sets a good tone. It’s paid dividends so far.” 

Ramey recalls she and her teammates being intrigued yet cautious about meeting Mello, who spent several seasons coaching college soccer, including the Carroll men from 2014-22.  

“He’d never coached high school,” she said. “I think he was surprised with our group.” 

By the start of the season Ramey was playing center-back. Not something she was accustomed to, but she took to it well enough.  

She was on board to the point where when Mello had his returning players make introductions to the newcomers this August — there are seven freshmen — she said, “I’m Reese Ramey and I play wherever Doug wants me to play.” 

That changed again, partway through this season. 

“To bolster our offense a little more we could use her, and have her used her, in a midfield role which allows her to move up and be more creative in our attack,” Mello said.  “I said I want you and (senior) Amelia Remley to play the defensive center-mid. You’re both defensively minded but you can play offense too.’ 

“We feel like that’s really shown through. We have five straight wins.” 

Ramey agrees. The Pack weren’t scoring like they felt they should. 

“We started playing a 4-2-3-1. He played it with some other teams that he coached and he wanted us to try it because we were having trouble putting the ball in the net,” Ramey, who has three assists this season, said. “He thought this might help us.   

"I think he’s right. I think it’s definitely helped us convert more.” 

Mello feels Ramey could play soccer at the next level, while the senior is more interested in college basketball — she’s a team captain for the Wolfpack basketball as well — though she says of college soccer, “I wouldn’t say no.” 

“A lot of players aren’t good enough to show that flexibility and then adapt to it so readily,” Mello said. “Not only does she play at a high level, she’s humorous, cordial, well-respected by her teammates and peers. 

“And she laughs at my jokes, too. “ 

On a more serious note, the Capital soccer team is explosive, and beating the Bruins a third time this season will be no easy task. 

“My freshman year we beat Capital twice and our first playoff game they got us,” Ramey remembered.” Hopefully we don’t repeat that. I don’t think we will. We kind of had a little lull in the middle of the season. I think our momentum is picking up again.” 

    Glacier's Lucy Holloway (12) celebrates with Reese Ramey (22), Gracie Winkler (10) and Neve Travis (5) after her second goal of the night against Flathead at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 8. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider 

    Glacier's Reese Ramey (23) knocks down a three in the first half against Flathead at Flathead High School on Friday, Jan. 19. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider