Brisendine scores twice, Griz soccer wins 4-0

MISSOULA — Reagan Brisendine scored two goals during a second-half blitz as Montana won its fourth straight soccer match Thursday, 4-0 over Weber State at South Campus Stadium.

It was the Grizzlies’ largest margin of victory over the Wildcats since 1997 and moved Montana to the top of the Big Sky Conference standings at 2-1-2 in league matches. They are 8-3-3 overall.

It’s a familiar spot for the back-to-back Big Sky regular-season champs, but how this is doing it that has coach Chris Citowicki in disbelief.

Unable to play due to injuries were eight Grizzlies, more than a quarter of the roster. Six have been regular starters.

“It’s just amazing. That’s not easy to do,” Citowicki said. “It’s so easy after so many injuries to break psychologically as a team. ... but this group just keeps moving forward. Really, really impressed.”

It was the bench that shook the game up late in the first half.

Ashlyn Sandow played a pass up the left sideline to Eliza Bentler, who got the ball to Caylee Kerr, who passed to Maycen Slater, who outside-footed it inside the right post for an all-reserve goal, Slater’s second of the season.

Montana led 1-0 at the half, then blitzed the Wildcats (8-6-0, 2-2-0 BSC) in the second half, with Brisendine scoring twice less than three minutes apart and Slater scoring in the 80th minute. Brisendine, out of Glacier High, now has four goals this fall.

Two of Montana’s goals were scored inside the 6-yard box, and all four came from a total of just 32 yards out. 

The Wildcats finished with 60 percent of the possession and out-shot the Grizzlies 15-12, but Montana won 4-0.