Boys Soccer: Reny scores late to lift Loggers past Polson

The Libby High School boys soccer team remained unbeaten in the Northern A region last week with victories over Bigfork and Polson.

The Loggers broke open a close game on Thursday at Bigfork with goals 14 minutes apart by Elias Lapka and Cree Maloney in a 3-1 victory. After a scoreless tie through most of the first half, Bigfork broke through when Lale Richmond scored on a pass from Alec MacCallum.

Libby responded just three minutes later, however, on a Nick Reny unassisted goal.

In the second half, Libby flexed its defensive muscle and shutout the home team through the final 40 minutes. Goalkeeper Lewis Brossman had two saves.

Lapka’s goal came unassisted in the 43rd minute to give Libby its first lead. Maloney then scored on a penalty kick in the 57th minute.

Libby had a 16-7 advantage in shots on goal.

The Loggers followed that up with a thrilling 1-0 victory on Saturday at Polson. Reny scored with just nine minutes remaining in the match on a feed from Maloney.

The two teams battled back and forth in a scoreless game through the first 70 minutes. An indication of the game’s physical nature could be seen in the number of total fouls – Libby with 18 and Polson with 13. Still, no cards were called.

Brossman recorded the shutout with five saves. Polson’s Clay Frissell also had five saves and the Pirates had a slim, 10-9, advantage with shots on goal.

Libby goes to 3-0 in the region, 5-1 overall and will head to Bonners Ferry, Idaho on Thursday. The boys are scheduled to start at 4 p.m. (Pacific time). Libby will then go up to Whitefish for a major clash on Saturday. The boys will hit the field at 4 p.m.