Libby soccer season ends in Corvallis
<p>Junior defender Bohdan Yakovenko, left, and Alex Garate of Columbia Falls Oct. 4</p>
The Libby Loggers lost their first-round playoff match Saturday in Corvallis, 4-2.
The Blue Devils (12-1) led 2-0 at half, fueled by a pair of goals by Alejandro Ortiz. The Loggers (6-7) threatened in the 51st minute when Cody Wood scored on an assist from Ecuadorian international exchange student Walter Briones. Corvallis would not be denied, however, recording insurance goals in the 61st and 71st minute.
“The Loggers never gave up,” Coach Charlie Webster said. “They played 84 minutes with all their hearts. We had some unlucky breaks and they capitalized on them.”
Webster said both first-half goals allowed by the Loggers came on pinball plays inside the Libby goal box; despite their best efforts, Libby defenders could not clear the ball.
With the season coming to an end, Webster could not help but look at what the season could have been. The Loggers began the season with a pair of last-second defeats. Libby dropped the season opener to Hamilton 4-3, conceding with 40 seconds remaining. The following game was 21 seconds from a tie before Whitefish scored for a 2-1 victory.
Citing concerns with his midfield’s holding ability, Webster made a midseason tactical adjustment, switching from a four-man defense to a three-man defensive formation with another midfielder. The change worked, and Libby transformed.
The Loggers won four of their last five regular season matches, but a 1-0 loss in Bigfork hurt. Despite a lopsided advantage in shots on goal, the Loggers were blanked. A road win would have made Libby the top seed in the Northern A conference. Instead, the Loggers traveled into a buzz saw.
“This year was a growing experience,” Webster said. “I am extremely proud of how the boys played and disappointed I could not do more to prepare them. I had a lot of fun with them and look forward to next year.”
Libby will lose only two seniors — Collin Johnson and Chad Moody — to graduation. The Loggers will also look to replace Briones. After a solid run with the soccer team, Webster said the Libby flanker will now be a terror on the tennis court.
“He’s a really good tennis player too,” Webster said of Briones. “That’s his sport.”
Libby 0 2 – 2
Corvallis 2 2 – 4
C – Alejandro Ortiz (Emmett Semple), 24:00
C – Ortiz (Kyle Schifflett), 27:00
L – Cody Wood (Walter Briones), 51:00
C – Cayden Ayers (Ortiz), 61:00
C – Semple (Ayers), 70:00
L – Wood (unassisted), 76:00
Shots on goal – Libby 9, Corvallis 13. Saves – Libby 10 (Zander Petersen 9, Johnny Cielak1), Corvallis 6 (Shelby Gifford). Corner kicks – Libby 2, Corvallis 4. Total fouls – Libby 4, Corvallis 4. Cards – none.