Gilden, Valentine lead Libby past Broncs

TROY - The Jaime Gilden and Anna Valentine combination worked for the umpteenth time this season as Libby downed Hamilton 2-1 in Class A girls semifinal soccer action on Saturday.

Gilden scored both goals, to run her season total to 21. Valentine assisted on both, giving her 19 for 2009, which is a school and Class A state record.

Valentine has scored 16 times this season. She set the school and Class A state record at 23 last season.

The game was originally scheduled to be played in Libby, but was moved to Troy because of unplayable field conditions on the LHS football field. A Friday night football game and heavy rain made the field unsafe.

"It threw things off, but it turned out OK," Libby coach Matt Warner said.

"We hope the field will be OK (for the championship game)."

Libby will host Billings Central on Saturday for the state title. Both teams are 13-0-0.

Billings Central, the defending state champions, advanced with a 5-0 victory over Whitefish on Saturday in Billings.

"Hopefully the girls will continue like they have been playing," Webster said. "They played good team soccer and looked good out there today."

Webster said Audra Poppen had a big save in the first half off a corner kick.

"She got it over the crossbar to hold the lead," Webster said.

Poppen finished with four saves in goal.

Hamilton 1 0 - 1

Libby 2 0 - 2

HAMILTON - Casey Shifflett (Bry Gordon), 14:00

LIBBY - Jaime Gilden (Anna Valentine), 11:00; Gilden (Valentine), 34:00.

Shots on goal - Hamilton 2, Libby 5

Corner kicks - Hamilton 6, Libby 3

Goalie saves - Hamilton 3 (Ali Stahl), Libby 5 (Audra Poppen)

Fouls - Hamilton 5, Libby 4

Cards - None

Billings Central 5, Whitefish 0

BILLINGS - Billings Central, the defending state champions, scored early an often to cruise in semifinal play.

Jackie Elliott had a hat trick in the first 21 minutes of action. Ryanne Frazier and Taylor O'Toole scored the other goals for Billings Central (13-0-0), who led 5-0 at the break.

Billings Central outshot Whitefish (7-5-2) 23-4 on goal.

"It was tough, but we ended on a good note," Whitefish coach Erin Morrison said.

"In my opinion, we won the second half. I'm happy we got some respect back."

Morrison said the Bulldogs had some opportunites, but just couldn't capitalize on them.

"Megan Apple had the game of her life," Morrision said.

"I was proud of them for playing from whistle to whistle."

Whitefish 0 0 - 0

Billings Central 5 0 - 5

BILLINGS CENTRAL - Jackie Elliott, 9:00; Elliott, 16:00; Elliott (Holly Davison), 21:00; Ryanne Frazier (Morgan Seeley), 23:00; Taylor O'Toole (Frazier), 39:00

Shots on goal - Whitefish 4, Billings Central 23

Corner kicks - NA

Goalie saves - Whitefish 9 (Callie Marsh, Madisen Cross), Billings Central 3 (Austin Hanser)

Fouls - NA

Cards - NA