Sawyer’s header sends Polson to Class A semifinals

In a match defined by defensive grit and relentless pressure, it was a single header in the 74th minute that made all the difference.

Senior forward Roman Sawyer rose above the Park County defense to nod home a perfectly placed corner kick from Cruz Lies, lifting the Polson Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Park Rangers in the Class A state quarterfinals on Saturday.

The win propels the top-seeded Pirates (9-2-2) into the semifinals for the first time in several seasons, while Park (7-4-2) saw its playoff run end.

Polson outshot Park 22-16 and putting 14 shots on goal. Both teams went into halftime scoreless, as Park goalkeeper Ben Minnick turned away six first-half saves and Polson keeper Maddox Bird matched him with several sharp stops of his own.

The breakthrough finally came midway through the second half when Lies lined up a corner kick kick that found Roman Sawyer, headed the ball past Minnick for what proved to be the game-winner.

Bird preserved the shutout with seven total saves.

With the victory, Polson advances to the semifinals, where they'll play Columbia Falls at Columbia Falls on October 25 at 5:15 p.m. 

    Polson Pirate boys soccer team celebrates their win over the Livingston Park Rangers on Oct. 18. (Bob Gunderson Photo)