Polson Soccer stars earn All-Conference, All-State Honors after standout season
BRANDON HANSEN For the Leader | Lake County Leader | UPDATED 3 weeks, 1 day AGO
Pirate senior Cruz Lies steals the ball from Blue Devil defensive player Eli Knight on his way to the goal on Sept. 18. Lies earned All-State recognition after Pirate Soccer took the State Championship against Whitefish. (Emily Messer/Leader)
Following a state championship on the pitch, several Polson High School soccer players have been recognized among the best in the Southern A Conference with postseason honors that highlight both team and individual success.
The Polson Pirates boys team (11-2-2, 6-1-1 Southern A) earned multiple all-conference and all-state selections.
Senior Maddox Bird, along with teammates Cruz Lies, Edgar Vejez-Pete, and Jackson Bontadelli, all earned All-State recognition for their play. Bird, a standout goalkeeper, anchored a defensive unit that kept opponents in check throughout the season. Lies and Vejez-Pete controlled the midfield, while Bontadelli provided attacking energy up front.
Junior Roman Sawyer was named First Team All-Conference, while Dion Lichtenberg and Ruger Ellis earned Second Team honors. Donovan Beeks received Honorable Mention for his work on defense.
For the senior class, the postseason accolades capped off impressive prep careers.
Lichtenberg finished with 8 goals and 9 assists in his career, including 7 goals and 6 assists this season.
Lies tallied 1 goal and 12 assists, serving as one of Polson’s key playmakers over four varsity seasons.
Bird, who also netted a goal this year, earned his third straight first-team all-conference selection.
Ellis, Aiden Davis, Truman Sawyer, Parker Hendrickson, and Brody Kline were also among the senior contributors to Polson’s postseason run.
On the girls’ side, the Lady Pirates (5-6-1, 5-4-1 Southern A) also made their mark.
Kellyn Nelson earned First Team All-Conference honors for her playmaking ability in the midfield.
Goalkeeper Olivia Ramirez and defender Ciri Nice was named to the Second Team, while Amelia Stene received Honorable Mention.
Nelson, who also excels in track and field, wrapped up her senior year with 7 career goals and 7 assists. Nice, a versatile defender, contributed key minutes over multiple seasons and brought a strong two-sport resume as a track standout.
Stene continued her rise as one of Polson’s top all-around athletes, balancing soccer success with accomplishments on the track as well.