Girls soccer: Bruins snap Pack's streak

LUKE SCHMIT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 months AGO

Glacier's Avi Schmautz (17) takes a shot in the first half against Helena Capital in a Class AA State soccer playoff game at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier celebrates after tying the score at 1-1 on a goal by Avi Schmautz near the end of regulation against Helena Capital in a Class AA State soccer playoff game at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Gracie Winkler (10) battles for position inside the Helena Capital zone in the second half of a Class AA State soccer playoff game at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Neve Travis (25) pushes the ball upfield in the second half against Helena Capital in a Class AA State soccer playoff game at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Lucy Holloway (12) takes a shot in the second half against Helena Capital in a Class AA State soccer playoff game at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Addison Brisendine (15) pushes the ball upfield defended by Capital's Camree Case (12) in a Class AA State soccer playoff game at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Bailee Dahlman (11) takes a shot in the second half against Helena Capital in a Class AA State soccer playoff game at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Gracie Winkler (10) controls the ball in the first half against Helena Capital in a Class AA State soccer playoff game at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

Glacier's Avi Schmautz (17) pushes the ball upfield in the second half against Helena Capital in a Class AA State soccer playoff game at Legends Stadium on Tuesday, Oct. 21. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)
Casey Kreider

A season of resilience and growth came to a heartbreaking end for the Glacier Wolfpack girls' soccer team on Tuesday, as Helena Capital escaped with a 2-1 overtime victory in a Class AA playoff matchup at Legends Stadium.

After a tense, defensive battle that saw both teams struggle to convert chances, Capital senior Jane Stiffler delivered the decisive goal in the 95th minute, scoring off an assist from Katerina Routzahn. That sent the Bruins into the next round against Gallatin on Saturday.

Routzahn opened the scoring in the 27th minute, giving Capital a 1-0 lead. Glacier responded late, as Avi Schmautz buried a rebounded shot from Gracie Winkler in the 75th minute to force extra time.

Despite being outshot 27-8, Capital capitalized on its limited opportunities while relying heavily on goalkeeper Reese Price, who turned away 16 Glacier shots in a standout performance. Wolfpack keeper Aerin Todd finished with six saves of her own.

“It caught up with us,” said Glacier coach Doug Mello. “We put together 10 games without being beaten, and today we just didn’t play our normal game. Their goalie had a spectacular day, and we played a little tight with such a young team. It just didn’t turn our way.”

Still, Mello reflected proudly on his team’s growth and the memories they made this year. “We started the season with a couple of tough losses, but the girls decided enough was enough. They turned it around and showed incredible tenacity. I’ll always remember that.”

Glacier's equalizer in the final minutes was symbolic of that fight, but Capital’s overtime strike sealed the Wolfpack’s fate.

While the loss stung the Wolfpack and specifically its two seniors, their season was defined by perseverance and promise for the future. With a roster led mostly by sophomores, the Wolfpack are poised for a strong return next fall.

“It’s tough for the girls right now,” said Mello. “We’re sad for our seniors, but we’ll move on. This group has a bright future.”

The Glacier boys' soccer team has their own AA playoff match at 6 p.m. on Friday, facing Billings Senior at Legends Stadium. Senior ousted the Billings Skyview boys 1-0 Tuesday.

Capital 1 0 1 - 2

Glaicer 0 1 0 - 1

C — Katerina Routzahn, 27:00

G — Avi Schmautz (Gracie Winkler), 75:00

C — Jane Stiffler (Routzahn), 95:00

Shots on goal — Capital 8, Glacier 27. Keeper saves — Capital (Reese Price) 16, Glacier (Aerin Todd) 6. Corner kicks — Capital 4, Glacier 7. Fouls — Capital 4, Glacier 6. Cards — none.