Division I soccer delights local community
Skyleigh Thompson, Norah Schmidt and Regan Brisendine returned to the Flathead Valley for an exhibition game between the Montana Grizzlies and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
Grizzlies Kayla Rendon Bushmaker, Reagan Brisendine and Maddie Ditta greet fans after the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Freshman keeper and Whitefish High School graduate Norah Schmidt makes a save for Gonzaga in their exhibition game versus the Montana Grizzlies in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Paisley Sheldon of Kalispell gets a hug and an autograph from Grizzly Erin Ewers after the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Bulldog Alexis Parker and Grizzly Emma Windsor vie for control of the ball in the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Fans pack the stands at Flip Darling Memorial Field in Columbia Falls for the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Kalispell graduate and Griz team captain Skyleigh Thompson (left) plays in the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Grizzly Carly Whalen welcomes local players alongside her as the starting lineup is announced for the Gonzanga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
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Grizzlies Kayla Rendon Bushmaker, Reagan Brisendine and Maddie Ditta greet fans after the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Freshman keeper and Whitefish High School graduate Norah Schmidt makes a save for Gonzaga in their exhibition game versus the Montana Grizzlies in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Paisley Sheldon of Kalispell gets a hug and an autograph from Grizzly Erin Ewers after the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Bulldog Alexis Parker and Grizzly Emma Windsor vie for control of the ball in the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Fans pack the stands at Flip Darling Memorial Field in Columbia Falls for the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Kalispell graduate and Griz team captain Skyleigh Thompson (left) plays in the Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)
Grizzly Carly Whalen welcomes local players alongside her as the starting lineup is announced for the Gonzanga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)