The Thompson Falls-Plains girls soccer team registered its first win of the season in Browning Friday, running past the homestanding Indians 10-0, ending the game via the mercy rule at 60 minutes.

Elsie Myers scored four goals and Jade Durham three to lead the Hawks to the win.

Thompson Falls-Plains coach Nick Lawyer enjoys taking his team to Browning. “Away games at Browning are always a treat,” he said. “They have the best soccer field in the conference. It’s a wonderful scene, and they are great hosts. They’re a newer program and they’re building a soccer culture in their community.”

Lawyer was impressed with his team’s defensive play on that end and with an improving attack on offense in Browning.

He said the feel-good contest also gave him a chance to try some different things with his lineup, such as starting Geneva Schmidt at keeper and giving normal keeper Ava Lawyer a chance to play some at defensive midfielder.

Given the rare opportunity to attack the other team’s net instead of defending her own, Ava even managed to score a goal on a long shot.

Freshman Emalyn Roofener also scored the first goal of her career.

Following the big trip to Browning, the Hawks hosted the Bigfork Vals the very next day at Previs Field and couldn’t seem to shake off the cobwebs, falling behind 5-0 by halftime and never being able to recover thereafter, eventually losing 6-0.

“I think it’s fair to say that the team was disappointed in their performance in the first half,” Lawyer said. “I think we gave up three goals in 10 minutes, and we were lucky for it to only be 0 to 5 at halftime.”

Lawyer said the Hawks made some effective halftime adjustments but that the early lead Bigfork built was too much to overcome. He thinks his girls may have to become a little more physical to better compete in the future.

“We are going to have to learn how to be more physical in our play,” he said. “Once the girls stepped up their physicality and physical contact against Bigfork it was a very even match. It’s a hard lesson to learn, but we have to be more physical! Soccer is a contact sport and it’s a game we play to win.”

Lawyer said the Hawks travel to Columbia Falls Tuesday, host a JV game against Frenchtown Wednesday and entertain Libby Friday, with a boy/girl doubleheader scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.