Wildkats open with lots of speed, experience

With all but three players returning for 2009, the Columbia Falls High School girls soccer team and its coaches anticipate an excellent season. The Wildkats open the year Saturday with a non-conference match at Bigfork; match time is 1 p.m.

C-Falls lost Stephanie Raymond and Shelby Wiebelhaus to graduation, but 20 other players are vying for playing time this year.

A young C-Falls squad had a 2-8-2 record last season, but finished with abounding optimism. The Wildkats tied Whitefish 0-0, and took Hamilton to overtime in the first round of the state playoffs before being edged, 5-4.

"We got to a good level last year so we're starting at a higher level (this season)," 13th year head coach Greg Trenerry said last week, and a number of underclassemen stepped up their game. How the Wildkats finished last season provided a positive carryover this year.

The Wildkats are still young, with just three seniors — McKenzie Reeve, Sophie Peterson and Ashli Fairbank. Reeve was an all-stater and the leading scorer last season. Sophomore McKenzie Kizer was second in scoring.

"We have good core players and our freshmen are looking good," Trenerry said. "It's a pretty good group."

Speed and depth are team strengths, according to the coach, who is assisted again by Nicolette Bales.

Keys for the Wildkats will be Reeve and Kizer at forward positions, and Peterson and sophomores Cedar Jordt and Breanna Hopper in the midfield. Fairbank is the stopper, and lone junior Elena Potter plays sweeper.

With a solid year under her belt, sophomore Niesha Thompson returns as the starting goalkeeper. She's backed up by freshman Tiara Kamrud.

Other sophomores are Julia Burgi, Katy Darling, Katie Donner, Elyse Gordon, Tyler Gress, Melissa Livingston, Madison Sandefer and Cortney White.

"Our main problem last year is that we gave up too many balls," Trenerry said. "We needed to improve and we did at the end."

Winning those 50-50 balls in the midfield is key in soccer.

And as last year, the Wildkats have good team chemistry.

Trenerry said there was parity in the Northern A Conference last season and that should be the case this year as well. Bigfork is a team that should show improvement.

The coach talked about team goals.

"We want to try to win every game and improve and get better every game," Trenerry said.

C-Falls' home opener is Friday, Sept. 4 against Park County (Livingston) at 6 p.m. The Wildkats host Belgrade Sept. 5 at noon.