Lady Pirates fall against Hamilton, Loyola

The Polson girls soccer team battled through 80 minutes of defensive pressure Thursday in a home game against Hamilton but fell 1-0 after a second-half goal proved the difference.

The loss dropped the Lady Pirates to 1-3 on the season, while Hamilton improved to 3-2.

For much of the night, Polson’s defense kept the Broncs frustrated. Hamilton fired 23 shots, 12 of them on frame, but goalkeeper Olivia Ramirez and the Pirate back line turned away chance after chance. 

Ramirez finished with five saves, including four direct stops and a key block early in the second half. Defenders Ciri Nice and Mackinzi Bartel repeatedly stepped in to break up Hamilton’s buildup play, deflecting several dangerous attempts.

The breakthrough came in the 58th minute. Anna Lewis found space inside the box and fired a shot that initially looked like Ramirez had handled. The Pirate keeper got her hands to the ball, but the spin carried it over her intervention and across the line for the game’s only score.

Polson’s best chances came from Kellyn Nelson and Amelia Stene, who combined for seven of the team’s nine shots. Nelson tested Hamilton’s defense with three looks, including a strike in the 47th minute that forced keeper Mia Faulk into a save. Stene added four attempts, with one on target late in the match. Emily Simonich and Adaleigh Whealon each contributed opportunities in the second half as the Lady Pirates pushed for an equalizer.

Hamilton’s attack was led by Lewis, who tallied seven shots, and Greta Gantz, who generated eight with six on target. But Polson’s defense, anchored by Ramirez and her defenders, ensured the game remained in doubt until the final whistle.

Despite the result, the Lady Pirates showed resilience against a Lady Bronc team that had outscored them heavily in recent seasons.

Lady Pirates battle but fall 2-1 at Loyola

The Polson girls soccer team created plenty of chances but couldn’t quite break through in a 2-1 road loss to Missoula Loyola on Saturday morning.

Loyola struck first with a goal in the opening half, then doubled its lead after the break. Polson answered quickly when Emily Simonich finished off a setup from Alyssa Thoft to cut the deficit to 2-1. Despite steady pressure the rest of the way, the Pirates couldn’t find the equalizer.

Polson had no shortage of opportunities, outshooting Loyola with more than 20 attempts. Viviane Armstrong came closest, driving a shot off the crossbar, while two other Pirate efforts were denied by the post.

Goalkeeper Olivia Ramirez kept her team in the match with several key saves, giving Polson’s attack a chance until the final whistle.