Vikings win season opener

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

Up against a tough conference opponent in their season opener, the Bigfork High School boys' soccer team used its teamwork to top the Columbia Falls Wildcats 2-0 Saturday in Bigfork.

The game, which Bigfork led 1-0 at halftime, was the first of the season for both teams. First-year senior Trey Lehrman scored first for the Vikes just before the end of the first half in the 39th minute. The Vikes and Cats were evenly matched on the number of shots on goal taken at 20 for the Cats and 18 for Bigfork. BHS coach Keith Koslosky said the Vikes were fortunate enough to have two of their shots find the net. Lehrman came down the right side and shot the ball from about 20 yards out. The ball lifted up and over the Wildcat keeper's hands and went in.

"It was a tremendous victory against a well-established program," BHS assistant coach Mike Daniels said. "It was an overall team effort. They just wanted it. You could see it in their play."

Bigfork and Columbia Falls went on the attack in the opening minutes of the second half. Columbia Falls took two quick shots at the Bigfork goal and David Meyers took a shot at the Cats' goal for the Vikes. Roland Benedict's penalty kicked just missed the Columbia Falls net over halfway through the second half. The Vikes could not capitalize on any of their three corner kicks during the match.

The persistent Vikings kept the ball on their offensive half of the field and added to their lead. After a pass from Meyers, Benedict dribbled left to right, beat a defender and cracked a shot inside of the 18 in the upper near corner.

Koslosky added that he thought it was a very competitive match.

"Both teams worked very hard. Trey's goal was a pleasant surprise," he said.

The Bigfork defense helped the Vikes' offensive efforts against Columbia Falls. Keeper Levi Dockstader tallied eight saves in the game. The Cats' keeper George Kimerly had seven. Bigfork also recorded two fouls in the match, while the Cats had nine.

They did everything I asked them to. They played as a team," Koslosky said. "The younger players played incredibly well and the veteran players did what was expected of them."

Bigfork travels to Laurel and Billings Central this weekend. The Vikes play at 4 p.m. in Laurel Friday and at 12 p.m. in Billings on Saturday. The Vikes continue with their conference schedule Sept. 6 in Whitefish.

"We have a great opportunity to work on some things in the next three matches," Koslosky said.

Columbia Falls 0 0 — 0

Bigfork 1 1 — 0

Bigfork — Trey Leherman, 39:00; Roland Benedict, 76:00

Shots on goal — CF 20, BF 18

Corner kicks — CF 4, BF 3

Saves — CF 7 (George Kimerly), Bigfork 8 (Levi Dockstader)

Fouls — CF 9, BF 2

Cards — None