Fresh start for Libby girls soccer under new leadership

The Libby girls soccer team will look much different this fall, led by a new coaching staff and a young roster eager to gain experience.

Head coach Gio Cano steps into his first season at the helm alongside new assistant coach Bella Hollingsworth, and together they’ll guide a squad that graduated nine seniors last year. With only one senior returning and a roster split evenly between eighth-graders and high school players, the Loggers enter the 2025 campaign in rebuilding mode.

“I come into my first year as head coach and also a new first-year assistant coach, Bella Hollingsworth, with an entirely new squad that we have seen play a little bit in the spring and fall seasons,” Cano said. “We expect to see a lot of growth in play, maturity, team chemistry, and overall confidence. We will say this group is working hard and is excited to play their first game of the season!”

Turnout numbers met expectations, Cano said, but the makeup of the team presents both strengths and challenges.

“Our biggest strength is that these girls have been playing together at the younger levels and have some chemistry,” he said. “As far as challenges go, we are very young and lack experience at this level of play.”

Libby’s Northwest A Conference schedule remains difficult, with traditional powers Columbia Falls, Whitefish and Bigfork all coming off semifinal appearances a year ago. Thompson Falls/Plains/St. Ignatius returns after joining the conference last season, while Browning enters the league as a new opponent.

“You have your normal big hitters in the NW conference in Columbia Falls, Whitefish, and Bigfork,” Cano said. “Thompson Falls/Plains/St. Ignatius co-op came into our conference last year and they will be a strong team again. The newest addition is Browning coming into our conference. We have yet to see them play but, look forward to playing them and welcome them into our conference.”

On the pitch, the Loggers will lean on senior midfielder Zoe Warner, along with sophomores Zoey Bernall and Capri Farmer, to help lead the team. Cano also hopes junior goalkeeper Maura Mesenbrink can return from injury and provide stability in the back.

Despite the youth movement, Cano said the team is grateful for the support it continues to receive in Libby.

“We would just like to say thank you to the community who continue to come out and support our program,” he said. “We appreciate it and look forward to the fall season.”

The Lady Loggers open the season Friday, Aug. 29, at Frenchtown. The first home match is Saturday, Sept. 6 against Stevensville.