Rapids crowned state soccer champs

The Kootenai Rapids 16-year-old boys soccer team won the State Cup Soccer Tournament June 14 after defeating the Electric City (Great Falls) Thunderbolts 8-2 in the championship match.

The Rapids, coached by Mark Petersen, finished the season 11-2-1 with a plus-29 goal differential.

“This team always finds a way to come up big in big games,” Petersen said. “Winning the State Cup is a great reward for the players.”

Kootenai jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after Colin Maloney and Giovanni Cano both scored in the first 10 minutes.

The Thunderbolts wouldn’t answer until a breakaway goal in the 48th minute. But their momentum was short lived. The Rapids scored four goals in 10 minutes putting the match out of reach.

“This team has played well, and these players have really improved their overall individual and team play,” Petersen said. “All of the players understand the game and also their role.”

Kootenai found themselves in the finals after a 2-1 semifinal win against Ravalli United Saturday night.

The Rapids once again scored first after Cody Wood ripped a shot from just inside the 18-yard box. Ravalli responded with a deflection off a corner kick right before halftime.

But the Rapids would once again take the lead, and seal the game, with an unassisted goal by Maloney in the 54th minute.

To advance to the semifinal, the Rapids defeated Butte Orange 4-0, who they had beat earlier in the season, and Helena Arsenal 2-1 in the group round.

Petersen said his team has two players on the Olympic Development Team for Montana, Johnny Davidson and Isaiah Sickler, and several others who could hold a spot.

“Most of our players have been playing club soccer together for seven season now,” Petersen said. “We have won two state championships and the largest open tournament in Montana (Three Blind Refs in Kalispell) in the past three seasons.”