Boys season ends with 2-0 loss at Columbia Falls: ‘They left everything on the field’
By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR
The girls soccer program at Lone Peak High School continues to make history in its sixth season, as the squad capitalized on their first-ever playoff appearance with a 1-0 victory against Hamilton High School on Saturday, Oct. 18.
With just five minutes remaining in the second half, sophomore Maeve McRae broke the scoreless tie and propelled the Big Horns to their first-ever playoff victory. The girls will advance to face Columbia Falls High School in the Class A state semifinal on Saturday, Oct. 25.
In an email to EBS from head coach Kim Dickerson, senior captain Maddie Wilcynski shared her thoughts on the historic win.
“A very exciting game against Hamilton, with Big Horns dominating the offensive third the whole game,” Wilcynski wrote.
She noted that Hamilton shifted to a defensive approach in the second half, allowing Big Horns to hammer shots at Hamilton senior goalkeeper Mia Faulk, whose “standout game” saved the Broncs from a blowout.
“Everyone on the Big Horn side played outstanding and connected passes beautifully. However, a huge shoutout to the well-deserved goal by Maeve McRae and a baller cross from [sophomore] Ava Staudt… This gives the Big Horn ballers a ton of momentum heading into their semifinal match against Columbia Falls next Saturday!”
Big Horns celebrate program history. 
Maeve McRae and her teammates celebrate the game-winning goal. 
Nothing got past goalkeeper Piper Dodd in her playoff debut. 
Senior captain Harper Morris attacks a loose ball. 
Sophomore Lola Morris fights for possession. 
Sophomore Maeve McRae controls the ball. 
Senior Hana Mittelstaedt throws the ball in. 
Senior captain Maddie Wilcynski challenges Hamilton’s tough goalkeeper. 
Sisters Harper and Lola Morris embrace at the end of Saturday’s win.
PHOTO GALLERY BY MATT DODD
Coach Dickerson added it’s an exciting time for the program, making their first-ever semifinal appearance.
“We look forward to preparing this week to take on our next opponent Columbia Falls on Saturday,” Dickerson wrote.
Boys fall to powerhouse Columbia Falls
Three hours north, the Lone Peak boys took on Columbia Falls. The opponent lived up to their 11-1 regular season record, advancing to the state semifinal with a 2-0 defeat over the Big Horns.
“The game was very physical, Columbia Falls had some very large guys, very physical guys. Strong and fast players,” Lone Peak head coach Tony Coppola told EBS in a phone call. “The field conditions weren’t the greatest, so there was definitely some sloppy play by both teams… At the end of the day, it was really just a track meet.”
The Wildcats leveraged speed and strength, sending through-balls for dramatic breakaways and pressuring the Big Horn defense—enough to score midway through the first half, and early in the second. Coppola credited senior captain goalkeeper Oliver McGuire for his beautiful saves, and defenders Miles Romney and Syd Trulen for holding the Wildcats’ powerful attack to just two goals.
Trulen stepped into a relatively new position at right back, and was “super composed,” Coppola said. “He played a hell of a game… Just put his head down and did what he needed to do.”
On offense, the Big Horns had some chances but couldn’t finish. Junior Keegan Luchini struck a “beautiful” free kick on net, but the Wildcat keeper made a fingertip save to preserve the shutout. Junior Dudley Davis and sophomore Elijah Harder also earned a shoutout, and Coppola acknowledged senior captain Brady Johnson for battling through a hurt shoulder in his final high school game.
“We had moments when we were playing our game,” Coppola said. But the Wildcats were well-organized, well-coached and worthy of their 11-1 record. “We really never found our rhythm completely to put anything in the net. They were a really good team… If I had to make a prediction, I’d say we lost to the state champions.”
Coppola was very proud of the character on display in his team’s final loss. A pillar of his program is to cultivate better people first, and better soccer players second—one Wildcat player shook Coppola’s hand and said the Big Horns were one of the most respectful teams he’d ever played against.
“That was huge for me, to hear that… We definitely lost with class yesterday,” Coppola said.
Win or lose, the coaches encouraged the goal of leaving Saturday’s game without regret, and with pride in the team’s effort. He feels the Big Horns accomplished that.
“I’m super proud of them,” Coppola said. “They left everything on the field.”
