Stampede thunder to third

Wildhorse Youth Soccer's senior team took third place at the State Cup in the under-17 division this past weekend. The finish caps a strong season for the Wildhorse Stampede who finished the year with 12 wins, 7 losses, 1 tie, and a +44 goal differential.

"It's a great achievement for our co-ed classic level team to take 3rd place in the boys select division at the state tournament. Our whole team worked diligently to develop and grow over the season and it was really fun to see them bond together as a team and play with such heart and determination."

On Friday and Saturday the Stampede split their group games with a 2-0 loss to eventual tournament champions Laurel Storm and a 5-0 win against Hamilton. By virtue of their better defensive record (only two goals allowed) the Stampede edged Bozeman Blitzz (who allowed 3 goals) to earn a spot in the championship play-in game.  On a cold and blustery Sunday morning the Stampede lost to Frenchtown 2-0.

"Our first game was a real defensive effort, we knew that Laurel was the tournament favorites and that we had to limit their chances. We tried to play very compact, tight defense and we just couldn't convert our chances." said coach Nick Lawyer. "Both teams were tentative to start the tournament and it was the Stampede who had the best chance of the first half when right winger Nathan McNulty grazed a shot over the crossbar.

"With the wind at our back for the first half, Laurel really didn't get much going, and really didn't bother our keeper very much." Knowing that a win was needed to advance directly to the championship, the Stampede were more attacking in the second half and "despite playing into a fierce headwind, we were pretty unlucky not to score." Ultimately, Laurel was able to convert 2 long range shots to win the game.  

"This tournament had teams put into groups who played round-robin to determine seeding."  In the second play of the group the Stampede faced Hamilton on Saturday evening. "After being too conservative in the first game, we resolved to be more attacking and more physical in our play."

The game started in a rainstorm, and was end-to-end during the first half. Kyran Kenison scored midway through the half on a through ball from center-midfielder Isaac

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Cremer. Shortly before the half Kenison again found the back of the net, this time on a cross from Nathan McNulty. "We felt that we played well, but a bit to open in the first half, to start the second half we nicked a quick goal and really never looked back." The Stampede finished the game winning 5-0.

Based on earlier results in the day the Stampede knew that a win was not enough to advance to the championship play-in game. In order to advance the Stampede had to hold Hamilton to 1 goal or less.

"In this tournament the tie-breaker was goals allowed. We knew that if we won the game and held Hamilton to 1 goal or less, we were in the 2nd-3rd place game." By virtue of the goals allowed tie-breaker the Stampede earned a second chance at the state championship.

In order to advance however the Stampede had to play Frenchtown for a third time. "Twice before this season they got the better of us, and we knew that we were going to see them at State Cup. We had a few defensive tricks up our sleeve, and we did a fantastic job stopping their attack."

With both teams going for broke Frenchtown started a high press that disrupted the Stampede's ability to build out of the back. Forced to play the long ball, the Stampede were limited to a few shots in the first half, and nothing on frame.

Meanwhile Frenchtown made good use of their superior ball possession and off two thunderbolt shots had a 2-0 halftime lead. "We did a good job marking several of their key players out of the game, but were weren't able to convert any of our chances. Frenchtown pretty much parked a bus defensively and ground the game out." Ultimately, the Stampede were unable to find the net and get back in the game.

"It was a great season for our players who represented Sanders and Mineral County well. We'll take a bit of a break and be back for fall soccer this August." Players from Plains, Thompson Falls, Hot Springs, St. Regis, and Paradise represented Sanders and Mineral County at the under-17 and under-14 levels this spring season in the Montana Youth competitive soccer season.