Clark Fork Soccer splits weekend games

Clark Fork Soccer Alliance's senior team split games in Helena this weekend drawing 1-1 with Great Falls before losing 4-0 to Helena.  

  In their first game of the day Clark Fork Soccer's senior team played the top U18 team in the state to the wire for the second time in 2 years.  Last year it was a surprise tournament victory over Great Falls that propelled Clark Fork's U19 boys into the championship match.  This year Great Falls was ready, "It was a very good match up," says head coach Josh Allday.  "Our style of play was on point and we moved the ball very effectively throughout the game. I was proud of our effort this week."  In an open game the senior boys controlled the tempo and possession for the majority of the game, "we were very purposeful in moving the ball and creating scoring opportunities. It's always nice to see we're moving in the right direction." 

  In the second game of the Mother's Day matches Clark Fork senior boys were drained physically and simply got outplayed. "We played very well in both games but were simply outmatched in the second game," said senior coach Josh Allday. "Helena had a number of players with tremendous size and strength and we couldn't match that physicality." Clark Fork's senior team is 1-5-1 on the season.

  In other action, the Clark Fork U16 team lost at home against Missoula and Helena to drop to a 3-8-1 record. In their first game against Missoula Strikers, the U16s struggled to get much of an attack going. Missoula hit early with 2 quick goals while Clark Fork defended deep for much of the game. "Strikers were excellent, while we were able to play out of the back well any imperfection created a turnover and we got punished for it," U16 Coach Dave Wrobleski said. 

The second U16 game of the day Clark Fork U16s faced Helena Queen City in a rematch of the infamous snow-game from April 16 that Helena won with 2 inches of snow on the field. This was a tight game from the opening whistle. "It's tough because the kids played really well, but there was no in-game reward for the players," Wrobleski said. "They would play well for a bit, then defend, defend, defend.  It wouldn't have taken much to get a different result."  

  The second half started much the same, and it was Andrew Wrobleski who grabbed the tying goal with a mid-field interception and combination play with Jacob Lulack punctuated by a strike and calls for a handball in the box, with a goal the reward.  However, as the second half wore on heavy legs began to wear down the Clark Fork defense and a quick barrage of goals ended the game 6-1 to Helena.

  At the younger ages Clark Fork's Thompson Falls U12 team sits in fifth place of 19 teams and surely will improve their position in the league table after 2 solid wins against Libby. "Our season is going amazing!  We've changed our training and coaching methods and the kids are thriving," Coach Carole Jensen stated. "They've come together as a team with great ball control and communication and are improving by leaps and bounds."  

  Back to Plains, the Clark Fork Plains U12 team continued it's undefeated season with 8-1 and a 5-0 wins over Missoula Strikers. Coach Chance Adams called out the versatility of several players. "Cord Crier and Emelia Rivinius are really shining for us, and I'm comfortable putting them anywhere on the field," he said. "Matthew Kauffman is the firm foundation that the team can trust to get the job done in defense. And Katherine Wrobleski and Simeon Costner continue to demonstrate their unique brands of humble dominating soccer that binds the team together."

  At the academy level Clark Fork U10 St. Regis first foray into competitive spring soccer continues to be a roaring success.  In split results St. Regis lost to Bigfork and responded with a win over Thompson Falls. "It was a fun day, but the first game was kinda rough, mostly due to our kids not working together," Coach Jesse Connor noted. "Brooklyn Miller knocked in her first goal of the season off a great pass from defender Hunter Reynolds."  St Regis is now 5-3-2 in their first season of spring soccer.