Cougars go for fourth
soccer title
By DAVID LESNICK
The Daily Inter Lake
If the seven seniors playing soccer for Stillwater Christian School had a theme entering the fall season, it would most likely have been 'Going for four.'
Defenders Matt Makowski, Jacob Topp and Caleb Moser along with midfielders Zach Smith, Brandon Lodien and Caleb Moser and forward Eric Zoesch have all been a part of three straight Montana Christian Athletic Association (MCAA) state championships. This weekend they will be looking for their fourth.
Stillwater Christian School (SCS) is hosting state MCAA tournaments in soccer and volleyball beginning today.
It marks the second-straight year SCS has been the tournament host.
"This crew has been very special," said SCS soccer coach Tim Anderson.
"They have been solid all the way through. They have been the solid core of our team every year."
The career record for this group of seniors is 61-13-6.
Smith helped keep the title string alive his freshman season when his hat trick allowed the Cougars to post a 4-3 victory in the title game. His final goal was the game winner.
Smith leads the Cougars with 27 goals. Zach George leads in assists with 11.
This year, the Cougars have also been helped by the addition of junior Max Konopatzke.
"First year in the program," said Anderson.
"A fantastic contributor in goal."
The Cougars will open state tournament play today at noon versus Billings Christian School. The two schools did not face off during the regular season.
Billings Christian is the No. 4 seed from the East Conference.
There are four games on tap today with the semifinals Friday at 9 a.m. and 10:30 and the championship game Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Stillwater is the No. 1 seed from the West.
Stillwater is also the No. 1 seed from the West for the state volleyball tournament. They are also defending state champions.
The Cougars finished league play with a 4-0 mark and were 12-0 against MCAA competition.
Overall, Stillwater boasts a mark of 22-5 overall with five shutouts. Last year the Cougars finished 19-7.
"I think it will be a stronger tournament than last year," said SCS coach Dave Shawback.
"Overall, the 2-3-4 seeds are pretty even (in the East). In the West, it's been us and Flathead Valley Home School."
Yellowstone County Home School comes in as the No. 1 seed from the East. YCHS was second to Stillwater at state last year.
Stillwater opens volleyball play against Foothills Community Christian School today at 9:30 a.m. Foothills is the No. 4 seed from the East.
"They (Foothills) have a senior setter (Alyssa Holland), who is definitely the leader of the team," said Shawback.
"They have a relatively young team, but she's pretty tough."
Stillwater and Foothills met back in early September. Stillwater prevailed in that one in five games.
Flathead struggled out of the gate this season, splitting its first six matches. Since then, the
Cougars are an impressive 19-2.
"I just think the team has been coming together," said Shawback.
"Getting people in the right positions. (When that happened), we started playing better."
Stillwater returned five letter winners, including three starters - senior Sarah Clark, outside hitter; junior Nichole Danz, opposite; and sophomore Emma Miller, outside hitter - from last year's squad.
The other two - sophomore setter Abby Smith and junior defensive specialist Katie Curtis - have moved into starting spots this season.
A victory in the opener would put the Cougars back on the court at 6 p.m. today. A loss and the Cougars play at 2.
The semifinal is set for Friday at 6 p.m. The championship game is 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
Flathead Valley Home School, the No. 2 seed from the West, starts off with Billings Christian School today at 11 a.m. The Crusaders, 14-4 overall, won a state championship in 2004.
Janelle Sheeran and Danae Sheeran have been the leaders for the Crusaders along the net.
MCAA State Soccer
Seeds
East
1. Yellowstone County Home School; 2. Great Falls Home
School; 3. Foothills Community Christian School; 4.
Billings Christian School
West
1. Stillwater Christian School; 2. Helena Christian
High School; 3. Butte Home School; 4. Mission Valley
Christian Academy
Tournament
Today
First Round
Noon - Stillwater Christian School vs. Billings
Christian School
1:30 p.m. - Great Falls Home School vs. Butte Home
School
3 p.m. - Helena Christian High School vs. Foothills
Community Christian School
4:30 p.m. - Yellowstone County Home School vs. Mission
Valley Christian School
MCAA State Volleyball
Seeds
East
1. Yellowstone County Home School; 2. Great Falls Home
School; 3. Billings Christian School; 4. Foothills
Community Christian School.
West
1. Stillwater Christian School; 2. Flathead Valley
Home School; 3. Helena Christian High School; 4.
Gallatin Valley Home School
Tournament
Today
First Round
8 a.m. - Great Falls Home School vs. Helena Christian
High School
9:30 a.m. - Stillwater Christian School vs. Foothills
Community Christian School
11 a.m. - Flathead Valley Home School vs. Billings
Christian School
12:30 p.m. - Yellowstone County Home School vs.
Gallatin Valley Home School
Second Round
2 p.m. - Losers of first two games
4 p.m. - Losers of second two games
6 p.m. - Winners of first two games
8 p.m. - Winners of second two games