CHAMPS! Girls soccer wins state A title

They were simply relentless.

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team hammered Bigfork 4-0 to win its first state A championship in 21 years on a windy and rainy night at Flip Darling Field Saturday under the lights.

They had multiple chances in the first half that came oh-so-close to goals. In the second half, they turned the pressure up a notch and left no doubt who was the better team.

With rain earlier in the day and showers spitting through the contest, the field was a squishy, muddy, mess, but it did not deter the Wildcats.

The Cats finished the year undefeated, 13-0-2. They tied Bigfork and Whitefish in the regular season. But this contest would have no ties. No extra time.

To top it off, they also broke some records in the process.  According to the Montana High School Association, the Cats 84 goals are the most scored in a single season since 1997.

The Wildcats knew going into the contest that the Valkyries would be a tough matchup.  

“We just knew we had to focus on the way our team plays and continue to hone in the things that we do well.  We knew that if we could control possession in the midfield and utilize our wingbacks in the attack, that we were going to have success.  

“As we prepared for the week, we knew that Bigfork had three really great offensive players in Gunlock, Plummer and Gabley, so we knew we had to manage that pressure going into the game.  Irelynd Vigil is a really great goalkeeper and it was always going to take some great finishes to get the ball past her,” coach Thomas Clark said.

From the start, Columbia Falls controlled possession for most of the game.  But they were unable to capitalize on opportunities in the first half. It was 0-0 at the break.

Tatiana Raymond would change that a minute into the second half, with a sweet header off a corner kick by Riley Byrd.

“It felt amazing,” she said after the game on the shot. “It felt like we can actually win now.”

Five minutes later, Raymond delivered a perfect assist to Mila Johns, who found the back of the net to put the Cats up two.

Johns was ecstatic.

“It’s everything I could hope for,” Johns said of the championship. She said she had great teammates. “It was great just being undefeated and going out in style.”

The Cats weren’t done.

Junior Onnikka Lawrence extended the lead further. At the 71-minute mark, she scored with a beautiful placement from Taylor Rodgers. Less than two minutes later, Lawrence took charge again, driving the ball to the net for a solo goal and putting the game out of reach for the Valkyries.

Bigfork mounted several attacks on goal, but the Columbia Falls  defense—anchored by quick foot work, smart positioning, and a series of crucial stops—along with keeper Elaina Dorr’s impressive diving saves, shut down every opportunity for the Bigfork Valkyries to find the back of the net.   

“Ultimately, credit to the girls.  One of the things that sets them apart as a group is how intelligent they are and how they solve problems as a team.  We touch on the tactical pieces at halftime but it’s up to them to execute on the field, and they did a great job all year on that.  Special game with a special team.  These girls have worked so hard for years to get to this point and it really is a culmination of all that hard work,” Clark said. “Our five seniors:  Bella Mann, Taylor Rodgers, Elaina Dorr, Isla Alexander and Mila Johns are just amazing young people and leaders.  

“I can’t say enough about their impact on and off the field, it was an absolute privilege to coach each one of them.  We have some big shoes to fill next year,” Clark said.

Rodgers perhaps, summed it up the best after the match.

“Amazing,” she said. “AMAZING. I love it.”