Soccer: Boys lose playoff in shootout
<p>Colin Maloney controls the ball on a Rams' inbound pass first half vs. Valley Christian Oct. 17.</p>
<p>Senior midfielder Zander Petersen, below, expresses his grief after losing 6-5 to Valley Christian in a shoot-out Oct. 17. Giovanni Cano, top.</p>
<p>Valley Christian's Thomas Campbell, left, and junior midfielder Ryan Nagle struggle for control Oct. 17.</p>
The Libby Loggers’ soccer season came to end Saturday afternoon, as the boys fell to visiting Loyola in a shoot-out.
The Libby boys got on the scoreboard first, with Cody Wood scoring in the 12th minute of the game, assisted by Giovanni Cano. Loyola answered in the 23rd minute with an unassisted goal by Jacob Benson.
From there, the game ground into a defensive standstill, with the teams fighting to break through the other’s defense. Each team managed just five shots on goal during the defensive battle and no other goals were scored during regulation, leaving the match tied at 1-1 at the end of regulation.
The game then went into a 10-minute overtime period, in which the defenses continued to dominate and neither team scored. A second 10-minute overtime period ended the same way, forcing the game into a shoot-out. Loyola won the shootout and will advance to face Belgrade in the state semifinals. The Loggers’ season comes to an end after a 7-4-1 regular season and a play-in victory over Columbia Falls.
Coach Mark Petersen characterized the season as successful, even moreso than the Loggers’ 7-4-1 regular season record and play-in game victory demonstrate.
“We had a very rewarding season, not all of which is reflected in scores, stats and season record,” Petersen said. “The team improved throughout the season in many ways: possession of the ball and controlling play in the midfield. The Loggers beat Whitefish home and away for the first time in school history. Team play and individual player development improved each week which was evident on game day. Every player enjoyed their involvement and contribution to the team’s overall goals and objectives.”
Petersen said his team performed at a very high level and both he and coach Rodd Zeiler were proud of the effort shown by the boys.
“Both Coach Zeiler and myself are proud of the effort and commitment of the players over the short season,” he said. “The guys were asked to perform at high levels and they delivered. The team committed to hard training sessions including some grueling conditioning without complaints. The conditioning and training contributed to our success and stamina late in our games.”
Petersen said he hopes his players take advantage of the spring and summer club soccer season to gain valuable experience and stay in playing condition during the off season.
“During the off season, players are encouraged to play club soccer in the spring to keep in soccer shape and work on all aspects of their game,” he said. “The extended season provides more time than the fall high school season to play in competitive matches and play against some of the best players in the state. We will continue open gyms and encourage players to attend camps. We will have a fall team camp this year before our season for the first time in 5 years. And most importantly, we will recruit and get as many kids involved in soccer as we can.”