Boys soccer nabs two wins on the road

The Columbia Falls boys soccer team beat Libby 4-2 on the road Saturday. Leading the way for the Cats were Jackson Scholz and Jack Harris each with two goals on the game.

“The Libby game was exactly what our young squad needed, a solid competitive push. We got exactly what we asked for. We had to battle back from behind twice going down early 0-1 and yet again 1-2. Scholz had both the comeback goals and Harris got the game winner and one more. Sol Masters had an incredible performance snuffing out most of their chances at center back,” coach O’Brien Byrd said. “We leaned into work three captains (Scholz, Harris, and Masters), and they got it done for the team. That being said, our young players shined under such pressure.”

The Loggers would land on the board first at the 24th minute mark, but Columbia Falls would strike back with a goal from Scholz at 10 minutes later to tie it. Libby wasn’t done yet, though. They’d come out in the second half and grab the lead 2-1, but the Cats responded. Harris (Scholz assist) would place in the back of the net to tie it up at two a piece. Scholz (Brady Bell) would add another one 15 minutes later. Harris would add the insurance goal to close out the game at the 73rd minute mark.

Columbia Falls had 18 shots on the goal while Libby had 7. The goalkeeping position was covered by both Brady Heitz with 5 saves and Talon Bates with one. Fouls were even with 5.

The Cats also played Browning on Sept. 18 in Browning and topped the Indians 8-0. 

Scoring in the contest were Everett Jaimes - 3 (unassisted), Easton Corbett - 2 (unassisted), Silas Hamilton - 1 (unassisted), Noah Hutchinson - 1 (unassisted), and Bryce Oswald (Chance Pfeifle).

Columbia Falls will meet up with Class B Thompson Falls/Plains and Bigfork this week. The Plains game was Tuesday on the road after presstime.  The Cats will then face off against the Vikings Thursday at home for a their Homecoming contest at 7 p.m.

“We play three games in six days, so we’re going to rely on our fitness and our mental sharpness as they will both be challenged. The Bigfork game we are circling as a big one, as that will be our Homecoming game under the lights. You always have to have a great performance for Homecoming. I’ve said it before, but this young and inexperienced team is blowing me away this season. I’m very proud of them,” Byrd said.