Pirates Battle Hard on Senior Night Pitch

Polson’s soccer teams put up spirited efforts on senior night Saturday, but visiting Stevensville left town with a pair of shutout results.

The Lady Pirates played a composed match in a 0-0 draw, earning a well-fought point against one of the league’s top squads. Polson (4-3-1, 4-5-1) fought the Yellowjackets (5-1-2, 6-1-3) stride for stride in a physical, end-to-end contest that saw the Pirates turn away 15 shots on goal thanks to the sharp play of senior goalkeeper Olivia Ramirez, who finished with eight saves.

Offensively, Amelia Stene led Polson with six shots, including a rocket late in the first half that forced a diving stop by the Stevi keeper. Kellyn Nelson, Adaleigh Whealon, and Emily Simonich also placed shots on frame, keeping steady pressure on the Yellowjacket defense. Defenders Elynn Bird and Audrey Matt were active in front of goal, each making key deflections to deny scoring chances.

In the boys’ match, Stevensville’s Jakob Wenck proved the difference, scoring in both the 36th and 78th minutes to lift the Yellowjackets (7-2-1, 4-1-1) past Polson (6-2-2, 4-1-1) by a 2-0 margin. The Pirates fired off 24 shots,11 of which were on frame, but couldn’t solve the Stevi defense or goalkeeper Braden Dyke.

Senior goalkeeper Maddox Bird tallied several crucial saves for Polson, supported by defenders Ruger Ellis, Cruz Lies, Dion Lichtenberg, and Truman Sawyer, who each turned away attacks from Stevensville.

Polson honored 12 seniors on the evening, celebrating the leadership and dedication to its soccer program. Seniors included midfielder Kellyn Nelson, defender Ciri Nice, defender Mackinzi Bartel, forward/midfielder Baylee Lemm, goalkeeper Maddox Bird, midfielder Aiden Davis, defender Ruger Ellis, forward Parker Hendricksen, defender Brody Kline, defender/midfielder Dion Lichtenberg, defender/midfielder Cruz Lies and defender Truman Sawyer.