The Loggers get psyched for State

As the Libby Loggers head to Whitefish for the Class A Soccer State championship against the Bulldogs this Saturday at 2 p.m., coach Mike Wickstrom and his team are optimistic.

"It's going to take being on our best game," he said. "We need to force them to make mistakes and capitalize on them."

The Whitefish team, who is 12-0 this season and approximately 15 years old, has not lost in over two seasons with 29 straight wins.

"They are a deeply developed program and they're just tough," Wickstrom said of Whitefish, adding "we're a fairly young team to do what we're doing."

Libby has had 9 wins, 4 losses and 1tie overall this season (or 5-2-1 in conference).

But the Loggers have slowly risen to the top since Wickstrom began coaching LBH Varsity Soccer since its inception 8 years ago.

"Early in the season, I shared with my guys that I felt (State) could happen," he said. "The progression is there. You can see our gradual strengthening - it's in black and white."

Two years ago, the Loggers made it to the State Quarterfinals for the first time, losing to Hamilton in a blowout, 7-1.

But last year in the Quarterfinals Libby lost to Hamilton in a much closer double-time shoot-out, the same way the Loggers beat Columbia Falls in the Quarterfinals last week, advancing Libby to State.

The Loggers will have five seniors and four freshmen dressing for the allotted 18 slots. The team had been using all their players this season before playoffs forced them to choose 18.

Riley Hoyer, a senior who has played all four years, commented on the progression of the team.

"It's gotten better every year," Hoyer said. "The style has changed from a kick-and-chase game to a well-thought-out, smart passing game."

Senior Jay Rosencrantz, who has also played all four years, said the team has a lot of experience playing together, which has translated into team chemistry.

"We need to come out there with intensity and bring our game."

Senior Mike McCartney, who has been with the team three years, said they know what they need to do to beat Whitefish.

"We know who we're playing," he said. "We'll have to cut off passing lines and shut down their game," McCartney said, adding "all I want to do is get at Whitefish…because they're undefeated."

Senior Matt Wickstrom, who switched from football to soccer his junior year, said the team has a lot of strengths, including "our cohesive personalities, our strong mid-field and our physical play."

Wickstrom mentioned how great the fans were at their last win against Columbia Falls, singling out senior Matt Schad as an outstanding cheerer.

"I'm honored to play with the teamthat we have. I'm excited to be where we are at this point."

Junior Dustin Morningstar, on the team for 3 years, summed up the team's qualities that led to their growing success.

"We have a lot of heart here and a will to win," he said "with a lot of outstanding players."

Morningstar summed up the players' thoughts on the game.

"Speaking for the team, we have a lot riding on this game - not only to win State, but to beat Whitefish," Morningstar said. "It's a blood match."