Lady Pirates split two matches, edged in late drama
By BRANDON HANSEN For the Leader | Lake County Leader | UPDATED 11 months, 1 week AGO
The Polson girls soccer team had a busy week with a shutout win at Stevensville before dropping a heartbreaker at home to Thompson Falls/Plains in a match that went down to the final seconds.
On the road against the Yellowjackets, the Lady Pirates found their breakthrough midway through the second half. Amelia Stene set up Viviane Armstrong for the decisive strike in the 65th minute, giving Polson a 1-0 victory. Goalkeeper Olivia Ramirez anchored the defense with eight saves as the Pirates weathered 10 Stevensville shots. Polson generated 13 shots of its own, with Armstrong, Baylee Lemm, and Kellyn Nelson all creating chances.
Back in Polson two days later, the Lady Pirates squared off against a Thompson Falls/Plains squad eager to avenge last year’s 9-4 loss. The Hawks did just that, pulling out a 1-0 victory on Solveig Nygaard’s curling corner kick goal in the 44th minute. Ramirez initially got a hand on the ball, but the stiff north wind altered the deflection and pushed it into the net.
The match’s final minute delivered high drama. With Polson pressing for an equalizer, 8th grader Emily Simonich nearly bypassed the Hawk keeper for a clear shot on goal before being fouled outside the box. The play resulted in a red card, forcing Thompson Falls/Plains to put Nygaard—already nursing an injury and the team’s lone goal scorer—in goal. On the ensuing free kick, Nelson’s lofted ball was redirected by 8th grader Elynn Bird, sparking a chaotic scramble in front of the net before the Hawks finally cleared.
Despite outshooting the visitors 15-11, Polson couldn’t find the back of the net, falling to 1-2 overall.
Polson Pirate Alyssa Thoft and T-Falls Hawk Katherine Wrobleski flight for the ball. (Emily Messer / Leader) At PolsonTHOMPSON FALLS/PLAINS 1, POLSON 0
TFalls/P - 0 - 1 - 1
Polson - 0 - 0 - 0
SCORING SUMMARY
TFP - Solveigh Nygaard cornerkick (44:00)
At Stevensville
POLSON 1, STEVENSVILLE 0
S-Ville - 0 - 0 - 0
Polson - 0 - 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY
P - Viviane Armstrong, Amelia Stene assist (65:00)