Kats blanked by Hamilton in soccer playoffs

It was a tough way to end the season. The Columbia Falls girls soccer team lost to Hamilton 3-0 on Oct. 19 in the first round of the state Class A playoffs.

Hamilton had the home field advantage and roughed up the Wildkats early, scoring at the 9- and 14-minute marks to take a 2-0 lead.

The Lady Broncs added an insurance goal 58 minutes in to secure the victory.

“They won the first 15 minutes,” coach Greg Trenerry said of the Hamilton. “Give them credit, they outplayed us.”

Trenerry said the girls played harder in the second half and had a couple scoring opportunities but couldn’t knock them in.

The Kats dropped the Libby Loggers by 2-0 at home Oct. 15 to end their regular season. The Kats had 24 shots on goal as the hapless Lady Loggers put nine players in the box. Libby won just one game all year.

Trenerry said that despite the early exit in the playoffs, he was happy with the team overall.

“They turned their season around after the Whitefish loss and the Polson tie,” he said. “I’m proud of that.”

The girls ended the year 6-1-1 in conference play and 7-3-3 overall.

Columbia Falls 0 0 — 0

Hamilton 2 1 — 3

HAMILTON — Lillia Moore (Sami Kratofil), 9:00; Brianna Abrahamsen (Kratofil), 14:00; Moore (Abrahamsen), 58:00

Shots on goal – Columbia Falls 4, Hamilton 10; Corner kicks – Columbia Falls 3, Hamilton 3; Goalie saves – Columbia Falls 7 (Andrea Getts), Hamilton 4 (Taylor Goligoski); Fouls – Columbia Falls 6, Hamilton 4; Cards — None.

Libby 0 0 – 0

Columbia Falls 0 2 – 2

C – Haley Purdy (Lindsay Strouse), 45:00

C – Strouse, 68:00

Shots on goal – Libby 0, Columbia Falls 24. Saves – Libby 16 (Abbey Enneninga), Columbia Falls 0 (Andrea Getts, Ally Gimball). Corner kicks – Libby 0, Columbia Falls 4. Fouls – Libby 0, Columbia Falls 5. Cards – none.