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Bigfork girls fall in State A soccer final

Bigfork Eagle | Bigfork Eagle | UPDATED 1 month AGO

Bigfork's Brynn Bagley (21) and Columbia Falls' Isla Alexander (8) battle for a ball in the first half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls' Onnikka Lawrence (10) has a shot stopped by Bigfork keeper Irelynd Vigil (0) in the first half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Bigfork's Gracie Johnson (2) pushes the ball upfield in the first half against Columbia Falls in the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Bigfork's Ione Plummer (17) chases down a ball in the Columbia Falls zone in the second half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Bigfork keeper Irelynd Vigil (0) pounces on a ball in the first half against Columbia Falls in the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Bigfork's Delaney Kirby (11) and Columbia Falls' Onnikka Lawrence (10) battle for possession in the first half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls' Onnikka Lawrence (10) breaks into the Bigfork zone to score a goal in the second half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls' Bella Mann (3) and Bigfork's Taite Welch (22) battle for possession in the second half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Columbia Falls' Onnikka Lawrence (10) has a shot stopped by Bigfork keeper Irelynd Vigil (0) in the first half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

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by Bigfork Eagle
| November 4, 2025 11:00 PM

The Bigfork Valkyries’ remarkable postseason journey came to an end Saturday afternoon in the Class A girls state championship, as Columbia Falls used a second-half surge to earn a 4-0 victory and claim the title.

The Valkyries (12-3-1) battled evenly with the unbeaten Wildkats (13-0-2) through a tense, scoreless first half. Both teams traded possessions and defensive stops, with Bigfork goalkeeper Irelynd Vigil making several key saves to keep Columbia Falls off the board.

But after halftime, the home team found its rhythm. Columbia Falls broke through in the 61st minute when Tatiana Raymond headed in a corner kick from Riley Byrd to give the Wildkats a 1-0 lead. Moments later, the momentum swung firmly in their favor.

Mila Johns added another goal shortly after, and Onnikka Lawrence capped the rally with back-to-back scores that sealed the victory. The Wildkats’ balanced attack and precise passing proved difficult to contain in the final 20 minutes of play.

“Girls soccer is a funny thing, once one goes in, they all go in,” Bigfork coach Park Schara said. “We wanted to play that team, we knew we weren’t state champions without beating Columbia Falls and so we were honored to have an opportunity to come onto this field and try and beat that team.  

“They truly deserved it this year, they’re coached well, they have a great culture and a great hometown crowd.”

Despite the loss, Bigfork’s effort throughout the state tournament reflected a season defined by toughness, teamwork, and growth. The Valkyries advanced to the championship match for the first time in program history after an impressive playoff run. 

Bigfork finishes with a 12-3-1 record.

    Columbia Falls' Onnikka Lawrence (10) has a shot stopped by Bigfork keeper Irelynd Vigil (0) in the first half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   
    Bigfork's Gracie Johnson (2) pushes the ball upfield in the first half against Columbia Falls in the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   
    Bigfork's Ione Plummer (17) chases down a ball in the Columbia Falls zone in the second half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   
    Bigfork keeper Irelynd Vigil (0) pounces on a ball in the first half against Columbia Falls in the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   
    Bigfork's Delaney Kirby (11) and Columbia Falls' Onnikka Lawrence (10) battle for possession in the first half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   
    Columbia Falls' Onnikka Lawrence (10) breaks into the Bigfork zone to score a goal in the second half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   
    Columbia Falls' Bella Mann (3) and Bigfork's Taite Welch (22) battle for possession in the second half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider   
    Columbia Falls' Onnikka Lawrence (10) has a shot stopped by Bigfork keeper Irelynd Vigil (0) in the first half of the Class A state championship at Flip Darling Memorial Field on Saturday, Nov. 1. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
 Casey Kreider