Gallatin soccer strikes three times, defeats Glacier in semis
Daily Inter Lake | Daily Inter-Lake | UPDATED 1 month, 3 weeks AGO
BOZEMAN — Ezekiel Leighton scored a first-half header and the Gallatin Raptors added two more goals in the second half to take a 3-0 victory over Glacier in the State AA boys soccer semifinals Tuesday at Bozeman Sports Park.
The win moves the Raptors to 14-2-0 on the season and puts them into Saturday’s state championship match against Missoula Hellgate. The Knights beat Helena Capital 1-0 in the other boys semifinal.
The Wolfpack, who had to play minus two players who drew red cards in Glacier’s quarterfinal win over Billings Senior, finished the season 12-3-1.
“We had an incredible season and showed great character and maturity for such a young team,” Glacier coach Ryen Billiet said. “We were without two key teammates today and we are much better as a full program.
“We had numerous players step up in key moments that allowed us to make it to the semifinals... against the very best programs in the state.”
Leighton took advantage of a Gallatin free kick into the box by Nico Pitto and nodded it past Silas Young to open the scoring 24 minutes in.
In the second half, Eddie Ballanco doubled the advantage in the 57th minute.
Walter Rivera sealed the victory three minutes later with a goal to make it 3-0.
Both Raptors teams will play for state championships: The Gallatin girls beat crosstown rival Bozeman 8-1 Tuesday. They’ll face Billings Senior, a 3-0 winner over Billings West in the other semifinal, on Saturday.
Glacier 0 0 - 0
Gallatin 1 2 - 3
GAL — Ezekiel Leighton (Nico Pitto), 24:00
GAL — Eddie Ballanco, 57:00
GAL — Walter Rivera (Leighton), 60:00
Shots on goal — Glacier 9, Gallatin 11. Keeper saves — Glacier (Silas Young) 7, Gallatin (Will Primrose) 6. Corner kicks — Glacier 6, Gallatin 0. Fouls — Glacier 6, Galal;tin 13. Cards — none.