U19 lose to Eagles in final game of season

The boys U19 soccer team finished its last home game in a tie against the Mission Valley Christian Academy Eagles last Tuesday at the Amundson Sports Complex in Plains.

Clark Fork Soccer Alliance coach Josh Allday didn't put in his top players out of fairness to the Polson team because they were smaller, younger and were a coed team and the result was a 5-4 loss to the Eagles.

"I think that was an outstanding job of coaching, holding his top players to make it a more competitive game," said Jess Kittle, head coach for the Eagles. "I understand they are a much better team than we are. I love how he kept the game more competitive," said Kittle, who's been coaching the Eagles for eight years. Kittle thanked Allday after the game.

"The game was a non conference friendly and I wanted to field a team that would match their size and ability and give our younger players some experience," said Allday, a coach for 17 years. He added that the players understood why he didn't put in his top players right away.

Nick Lawyer, who normally coaches the girls U18 team, was one of three referees last Tuesday, along with Caleb Sapp and Jennifer Corby. Lawyer said that Allday is an exceptional coach whose goal is to develop his team into great soccer players. "I've been really impressed with his commitment to player development. This year is no exception, as he has sustained more than a couple losses in order to help players get better," said Lawyer. Lawyer's team this year was undefeated with 12 wins.

On Tuesday, it was the Eagles that struck first with forward Lilia Mitchell, the team's only senior, who put one past Clark Fork Soccer Alliance's keeper. Mitchell is one of four girls on the Eagles team. A short time later, Mitchell stuck again to give Mission Valley Christian Academy a 2-0 lead. At the end of the first half, it was 2-0 in the Eagles favor. Her younger sister, Eden Mitchell, scored later in the game.

Kittle has 14 players on the team, but most are of the sixth and seventh grade levels. His kids come from Polson, Ronan and St. Ignatius. Kittle's record was four wins, two losses and one tie. Allday's boys team ranges from 12-18 years old and are from Plains and Thompson Falls.

Early in the second half, however, Nathaniel Palacos of the Clark Fork Soccer Alliance tried to head bump one in from some eight feet from the goal, but it went over the net. Minutes later, he used his head once again, but this time he scored to put Clark Fork Soccer Alliance on the board. It was his first score of the season. Teammate Caleb Hutchings then punched one in for a 2-2 tie. Lucas Allday sent a bullet to the net, but Eagles keeper Lucas Gambrell, one of four juniors on the team, made a diving save to prevent the point.

It didn't last long and the Eagles pounced back to once again take the lead 3-2. The Sanders County team didn't give up and Cody Hafner scored to tie things up. followed soon by another Hutchings point for the lead. The Eagles responded with two consecutive goals and a 5-4 win.

As of last Tuesday, the Clark Fork Soccer Alliance had seven wins, five losses and one tie. They were scheduled to play the Eagles again Saturday at Polson for the final game of the season. "We will field a coed team to match their coed team. My plan and approach will be very different tomorrow and am planning to play to win," said Allday before hand. They won 4-3.

Allday said he's been very pleased with his team and is happy with their growth and development. He plans to coach U19 again in 2024. Lawyer said that Allday and the rest of the Clark Fork Soccer Alliance have committed to player development, which means getting all the players on the field and a chance to play. "You can get something out of just about any game. But in order to grow you have to have challenge. The opponent presents the challenge, but if that challenge isn't enough you can increase the challenge through restrictions and player expectations," said Lawyer, who has been trying to get the county schools to institute soccer programs, but has come up against a stone wall. Only Trout Creek has added soccer to the school sports program.