Division I soccer match delights local community

The Flathead Valley community got a special treat Sunday night. The Montana Grizzlies and the Gonzaga Bulldogs, two Division I womens soccer teams that travel all over the West during the regular season, played in the Flathead Valley.

Thanks to the diligent and persistent work of O’Brien Byrd, Columbia Falls High School boys soccer coach, these teams met for an exhibition game at Flip Darling Memorial Field in Columbia Falls. It took Byrd about five years to coordinate the event and the energy from the stands let him know it was a rousing success. 

“It's not about the adults in the crowd or the coaches that are on the sidelines. It's about these athletes empowering and inspiring those kids,” Byrd said. “You just physically saw our young kids being inspired. And that's the point of this whole thing.” 

The bleachers were packed with fans, the Columbia Falls High School drumline performed, and a jumbo television screen displayed all the action. After the game, a crowd of young people came onto the field for autographs and photos with the players. 

The game was exciting to watch and often featured end to end play. Three players who were lighting up the field were Flathead Valley locals. 

Freshman, Norah Schmidt, plays for Gonzaga after graduating from the Montana Class A state champion Whitefish Bulldogs last year. She said she feels at home in her new town with her new team. 

"It's been intense, but it's been super fun, and I love the team,” Schmidt said of her Gonzaga Bulldogs. “They are an awesome team. Couldn't ask for better.” 

Although she’s only been away for a short time, playing in Columbia Falls was a treat. 

“It was definitely a trip. I showed up and I was like, ‘I used to play soccer here.’” she said. “It was fun getting to see everyone again. All my family and friends are right over there.” 

Skyleigh Thompson, a Flathead High School alum, and Regan Brisendine, a graduate of Glacier High School, play for the Grizzlies and are on opposite ends of their college soccer careers. Thompson is a senior, and Brisendine is a freshman. Both were delighted to be able to play ball at home.  

"This is such a cool opportunity, and I just couldn't be more thankful for everyone that showed up and supported us,” Thompson said after the game. “I'm so glad that, not only could I experience it, but Regan as well. This, her first game as a Griz -- she got to play in front of a thousand plus fans at home.” 

Brisendine admitted to being nervous before the game but once she stepped on the field, all the nerves went away, and she relied on her training and her team. 

“While I've been with the Griz, I've learned so much,” Brisendine said. “I feel like I've really improved as a teammate. I'm just surrounded by such great girls and I want to be like them.” 

The crowd came early for the game and stayed late. They cheered for both teams and for the level of play. The excitement generated for the game was palpable from each person in the crowd from the youngest to the oldest. 

From the minute the players took the field for warmups until they stayed late into the night signing autographs, the eyes of the young, local players were saucer-wide as they soaked in the night and were inspired. 

“I think we saw how starved we are, as a community, for soccer of this level in our backyard,” Byrd said. “Our community needs more things like this to be happy about, to celebrate, to celebrate together.” 

Byrd’s Herculean effort to make this game come to fruition was not lost on anyone in the stands nor on the field. After the memorable game, Thompson said Byrd “blew this out of the water” and expressed her gratitude for his efforts. 

“It's great seeing how much love he has for the soccer community and the culture in the Valley,” Thompson said. “He works so hard to give kids opportunities and inspire them. We’re really lucky to have a guy like that around here.”

    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)
  

  

    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 Gonzaga-Montana exhibition game in Columbia Falls Sunday, August 11. (Avery Howe/Bigfork Eagle)