Ryan Thompson coaches a Glacier women’s soccer program that has seen ample success the last several years, including a championship in 2020.

He feels fortunate in his first season to have attackers like Gracie Winkler, Addison Brisendine, Lucy Holloway and Neve Travis to build strategy around — and that Kylie Shine is taking care of the back line. 

“Coming from the summer, she’s just been kind of the solid, steady leader of the team,” Thompson said of Shine, the Wolfpack’s lone senior. “Very reliable, and the girls really respect her a lot.” 

Going into Thursday’s first Crosstown matches — Glacier’s girls play Flathead 5 p.m. at Legends Stadium, followed by the boys at 7 — the Wolfpack find themselves in middle of the Western AA pack at 2-1-1. A 16-4 goals for-goals against is impressive, but all three Missoula schools and Helena High have outpaced them. 

That’s not necessarily the issue, Shine said. 

“We’ve got a lot of great players,” she said. “I’m really excited for the season, and the season has been great so far. We’re still trying to get things going defensively, though.” 

That’s Shine’s purview: After two-please seasons “playing everywhere,” Shine is in the backfield. 

“That’s kind of my philosophy, too,” Thompson said. “We still have to work on attack, but if you prevent goals, that gives you a head up on the competition. 

“We basically start with two sophomores and a freshmen back there, and they’re all incredibly talented. But it’s just getting used to high school soccer and the organization it takes.” 

That said, Glacier has been pretty salty. There’s a 4-1 win over Capital and a 1-0 loss to unbeaten Missoula Sentinel. It’s been fun, and Shine sees positives in the coaching change from Doug Mello, who left after three solid seasons for a position with the Philippines national team.  

“He had good knowledge of the game,” Shine said of Mello, who came over from Carroll College and went 24-15-4 at Glacier. “I think he was more of a college men’s coach rather than a high school coach. But I think it was good for our team. 

“Before they were announced I was talking to Thompson and he obviously loves the game. You can tell,” she added. “It’s more about character and playing hard and playing as a team and playing together. I feel like Thompson has helped us have team camaraderie and team spirit.” 

Thompson, for his part, said there was time a not long ago when coaching girls was the furthest thing from his mind.  

“Now I’ve got two little girls myself and I thought, ‘Well, i might as well get used to it,’ “ he said, then added: “I would say that high school soccer is serious and result-oriented, but at the same time its big picture and lessons learned from being an athlete.  

“No disrespect to Doug but it is a little more of a positive atmosphere.” 

Shine moved to Kalispell with her family from Las Vegas, post-Covid. Her older brother Kaleb stood out on the football field; both siblings were good wrestlers, with Kylie placing twice at state.  

She intends to graduate early; the family is headed back to Vegas. Nursing school has drawn her attention but she also shares an eye for interior design with her mom and grandmother.  

Her future is bright, just as it is for the Pack. 

Thursday’s Crosstown game is the first in a glut of important contests: An early-season match at Helena was canceled by lightning, and the makeup with the Bengals is Tuesday. Glacier is at Hellgate Saturday; then both Helena and Capital come in next weekend. 

“I don’t want to blow it out of proportion, but it’s certainly an important two weeks,” Thompson said. 

To which Shine says, let’s go. Winkler, a junior who has committed to the University of Montana, has six goals this season and 32 for her career; Holloway, who moved to forward this year, and Brisendine have three each. Travis has found the net twice. 

Shine’s one goal this season gives her seven for her career. 

“I have full faith that we should be one of the top teams in the state,” she said. “(Midfielder) Bailey Dahlman is just an amazing part of the team. Last game was probably one of the best games she played. She’s in the perfect spot. 

“The we have our outsides (Brisendine and Holloway), who are fast and able to get the ball. 

“Defense-wise, we have things to work out. Other than that, we are state champion-worthy.”