Libby boys soccer team headed to state tournament

A nine-year state playoff drought for the Libby boys soccer team ended Saturday at J. Neils Memorial Park when the Loggers tied Bigfork, 3-3.

The Loggers claimed the third spot in the North and will play at No. 1 South finisher Stevensville at 2 p.m. Saturday.

"We finally reached our goal," head coach Joe Martineau said. "The boys played great and the seniors as freshmen were part of the team that broke Libby’s losing streak and the first team in nine years that made it to the playoffs. I have nothing but pride for these gentleman for their dedication and effort they put into the game."

Libby last made state in 2015 when it was the No. 2 seed in the North with a 7-4-1 record and beat Columbia Falls, 3-1, to reach the quarterfinals. In that game, Loyola Sacred Heart topped the Loggers, 2-1, in a shootout. Cody Wood scored Libby’s only goal in regulation and it was assisted by Giovanni Cano in the Loyola game.

Another Cano featured prominently in Saturday’s game. Giovanni's younger brother, freshman Jonathan Cano, made a charge to the net on the left side and his subsequent shot went off the Bigfork keeper’s hands and caromed out to Loggers sophomore Colter Anderson, who buried the rebound to give Libby a 3-2 with about seven minutes left in regulation.

The Loggers deservedly celebrated like champions after Anderson’s goal. 

While Bigfork scored with less than a minute to play in extra time to tie it, the Loggers could still celebrate their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade.

“What a wonderful sign-off for our seniors and it leaves a foundation for our returning players next year,” Loggers assistant coach Steve Morris said.

The Loggers celebrated Senior Night with the Libby girls team between games of their doubleheader with Bigfork.

For the boys, their seniors included Alderic Martineau, Aaron Thomas, Dylan Warner and Danny Waletski.

Waletski, a German exchange student, scored Libby’s first two goals and Warner had two assists.

Waletski put Libby on top with about 13 minutes left in the first half when he scored. 

Bigfork tied the game with a goal with about eight minutes left in the half.

The Vikings took a 2-1 lead 10 minutes into the second half when Hunter Miland scored on a penalty kick.

At the 23-minute mark, Waletski scored again to tie the game at 2-2. Warner got control of a loose ball and the Bigfork struggled to react. Warner’s pass to Waletski gave the wing an open look at an empty net and he drilled it home.

About five minutes later, sophomore JJ Fosgate kept the game tied when he stopped a shot and held on as several Bigfork players surrounded him, waiting for a rebound.

"I want to thank the parents, fans, coaches Steve Morris, Cameron Petrus and Cody Pallister, Joe Nagle and the county, Soccer Bill for burgers, LHS band and all the supporters of soccer that made the environment at the games electric," Martineau said.

In the girls game, Bigfork beat Libby, 8-1.

The senior class included Madison Vincent, Kaydence Stanek, Maggie Fantozzi, Bergen Fortner, Morgan Hayes, Keyera Haischer, Kylee Derryberry, Marrisa Hollingsworth, Joslin Gassman and managers Bella Villarreal, Briana Filler, Sabrina Cunningham and Ruby McIntosh.

    Libby freshman Jonathan Cano races toward the Bigfork goal Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, against the Vikings. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby soccer player Danny Waletski scored two goals Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, against Bigfork at J. Neils Memorial Park. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby junior Kale Hall against Bigfork goal Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby junior Nolan Morris battles for control of the ball against Bigfork goal Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby senior Bergen Fortner battles for possession of the ball Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, against Bigfork. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)