Boys' soccer gears up for opener

By JOE SOVA Hungry Horse News

Based on the number of experienced players returning, Columbia Falls High School should have another successful boys' soccer season in 2007.

The Wildcats kick off the season on Saturday (Aug. 25) with a conference match at Bigfork. Game time is 11 a.m. The annual Blue and White scrimmage begins around 7:30 p.m. Friday (Aug. 24) at CFHS.

Peter Browne, in his seventh year as head coach of the Wildcats, lost all-state players Dustin Gibson and Dennis Marceau, and three other seniors. But 12 players return who saw action last season, including five returning starters.

"We've dodged most of the injuries," Browne said of pre-season practice, and he said that the Wildcats came in "pretty well prepared" in terms of physical condition.

Casey Hebert is hampered by a hip flexor injury from last season, but he could play in the opener against Bigfork.

"We don't have a lot of numbers this year," Browne said, pointing out that there is only one freshman out for boys' soccer when he usually has four or five.

Top returnees include senior co-captains D.J. Stoneman, a midfielder, and central defender Cody Bowman. Other key players are senior midfielder Josh McNeil and four juniors — goalkeeper George Kimerly, midfielder Travis Pete, central defender Grant Getts and forward Chase Jackson.

According to Browne, a strength this year will be at goalkeeper. Kimerly had a solid season as a sophomore, and Browne credits much of his development to assistant coach Tony Budesa.

The Wildcats should be able to put the ball in the net often.

"We're pretty quick. We're able to score goals, better than last year," Browne said. "We might play a little more direct than we did last year.

"I think we'll beat a lot of teams with our skills," the coach added.

Last season, Columbia Falls finished second in the Northern A Conference and advanced to the state semifinals, but suffered a 3-2 loss to Hamilton in a shootout. Whitefish won the state championship and will be solid again this season.

This year, only two teams from the Northern A qualify for the state playoffs. Last season, three teams from the conference advanced to state.

"We'll go game by game and improve during the season, and hopefully we'll make it to post-season play," Browne said.