Shootout win over Columbia Falls vaults Pirates into State A championship match
BRANDON HANSEN For the Leader | Lake County Leader | UPDATED 1 month, 3 weeks AGO
Polson Pirate Roman Sawyer and Columbia Falls’s Brady Bell fight for control of the ball on Oct. 25. Polson won the match with a score of 1-1. (Chris Peterson/Hungry Horse News)
For the first time in program history, the Polson Pirates will host the Class A state boys soccer championship, advancing after a tense 2–1 (5–4 shootout) semifinal victory over Columbia Falls on Saturday.
The Pirates and Wildcats battled through regulation and two overtimes before Polson goalkeeper Maddox Bird made two clutch saves in the penalty shootout to seal the win.
Polson struck early in the ninth minute when Donovan Beeks scored off a corner kick from Cruz Lies, giving the Pirates a 1–0 lead. Columbia Falls equalized nine minutes later as Jack Harris finished a cross from Jackson Scholz, setting the stage for a defensive struggle that would last the remainder of regulation and extra time.
Both teams had opportunities late, but Bird and Columbia Falls keeper Brady Heitz were sharp throughout with Bird recording 11 saves and Heitz notching 12.
In the shootout, Polson converted five of six attempts, with Ruger Ellis delivering the decisive goal before Bird stopped the Wildcats’ final shot to clinch the victory.
The Pirates, now 10-2-2, move on to their fourth-ever state title appearance. According to MHSA archives, Polson’s previous championship trips — all on the road — came in 2002, 2011, and 2018, each ending against Whitefish, who will be their opponent this time around as well.
This year’s berth marks not only Polson’s first chance to play for the championship at home, but also an opportunity to bring the program its first state title.