Wildkats fall to Billings Central

BILLINGS — Down three goals to the Billings Central Rams in a State A semifinal on Saturday, the Columbia Falls Wildkats desperately needed to score.

Josie Harris delivered. Billings would add another goal and led 4-1 at the half, but the Wildkats got as close as 4-3 before time ran out.

"After going down three to zero, from then on out, the girls started fighting,” Wildkats coach Thomas Clark said. “We gave ourselves a shot and fought like hell and made it a game where you can walk away with your heads held high. I think Billings is the best team in the state of Montana. And I wouldn’t be surprised if they don't go out and win the whole thing this year.”

Hope McAtee and Sydney Mann provided the second-half scoring. McAtee assisted on Harris’ first-half goal.

Wildkats keeper Zoey Byrd made 18 saves.

“Huge credit to our seniors and our leaders as a whole,” Clark added. “Zoey Byrd played a hell of a game in goal, Sydney Mann scored a goal and our other captains Josie Harris and Hope McAtee each scored too. When your leaders all go out and show that kind of grit, it tells you a lot about the character of your team.”

Billings Central, runner-up to Laurel last year, moves on to the title game against the Whitefish Bulldogs.

Columbia Falls 0 3 — 3

Billings Central 4 0 — 4

BC - Lauren Dull (Maddie Tracy) 4:00

BC - Abby Derbyshire (Kendall Wahl) 7:00

BC - Lucy Baker 20:00

CF - Josie Harris (Hope McAtee) 24:00

BC - Ava Yates (Kendall Wahl) 33:00

CF - McAtee (Kenzee West)

CF - Sydney Mann 60:00

Shots — CF 11, BC 19; Goalie saves — CF 18 (Zoey Byrd), BC 8.