Loggers make history at quarterfinal

Both the Libby girls and boys soccer teams won their State Quarterfinal playoff games, making Lady Logger history through their advancement into the State semi-finals and Logger history by giving Libby the opportunity to host its first soccer play-off game ever at Logger stadium.

The girls beat Stevensville 2-0, with Rachael Sweedman scoring the opening goal for the Loggers in the 23rd minute, her first goal of the season.

At the end of the first half, the Lady Loggers were up 1-0. Although the Yellowjackets had several close shots in the opening minutes of the second half, the Lady Loggers eventually gained control of the midfield.

The Yellowjackets put more pressure on the Logger defense, but Trista Berget, Nickole Lapka, Quinn Wilson and Brittany Martin held them to only 7 shots and 4 corner kicks - compared to 10 of each for the Loggers.

Goalkeeper Audra Poppen made seven saves, with Sweedman sealing the victory for the Loggers with her goal in the 77th minute off of Anna Valentine's deflected shot.

The girls will play the Belgrade Panthers in Belgrade Saturday, October 20th at 12 p.m. for their Semifinal match.

In the first round play-off games in Bitterroot, the boys beat Corvallis 3-2. Senior Riley Hoyer pounded an outside shot over the Corvallis Keeper eleven minutes into the match, giving the Loggers a 1-0 lead.

Hoyer also made the second shot for the Loggers, who led 2-1 at the half.

"This was one of our best displays of unselfish team play, especially in the second half," said Coach Mike Wickstrom. "We continued to dominate the match, yet Corvallis valiantly fought another ball into the Logger net to tie the match deep into the second half."

Midfielders Matt Wickstrom, Evan May, and Jay Rosencrantz played both offense and defense in the final moments, as the Blue Devils tried to even the match, but the Logger defense of Mike McCartney, James Snackenberg, Dustin Morningstar, and Scott Harlow held them.

With three minutes left in the game, Cyrus Maloney passed to Kyle Berke, who scored the winning goal. Keeper Tad Downey made 4 saves in the game.

Because Columbia Falls finished 3rd behind The Loggers in Conference, but beat #1seed Billing Central last Friday, the boys get the priviledge of hosting Columbia Falls at Logger stadium for the State semi final match this Saturday at 1 p.m.

Ticket prices will be $6 for adults and $5 for students; season passes will not be honored at play-off games.