Hi-Line United soccer looking forward to state

While the soccer world currently has its attention focused on the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which just got underway over the weekend in Canada, the two Hi-Line United soccer teams were finishing their final preparations for the Montana State Cup this weekend.

The U19 team earned a hard-fought split Saturday in Sidney, defeating Miles City by a score of 5-0 in its first match before falling to Sidney 6-1 in the second match.

Trey Scofield continued his recent string of strong play and found the net again versus Miles City. Yet, the United also got goals from Marcio Camara and Alec Drew. The United were also helped to victory by a pair of own goals from Miles City as well as an outstanding effort in net from Drew, who made some spectacular saves to preserve the shutout win.

In the second match, Scofield scored once again but collided with the Sidney keeper on the play and was forced to miss the rest of the game due to injury. That left the United, who had just one substitute, shorthanded.

“This weekend was a little rough, we had a number of players out for a number of different reasons,” United U19 head coach John Harkins said. “But the first game went well. The team was unselfish and worked the ball around. In the second game, we had no subs and ended up having some kids with cramping issues and we were worn down. That was frustrating, but it happens, and now we are just focused on getting back to 100 percent for the State Cup.”

The U14 team was also in action over the weekend in Laurel, but unlike the U19 team, the United U14 team lost both of its games, fallings to Sidney 3-0 and Laurel 6-1. Although the United didn’t score against Sidney, the game was still competitive thanks in large part to a 10-save effort from August Eacker in goal. In the second match against Laurel, Max Olson found the back of the net thanks to an assist from Cole Hanson, but it was not enough to overcome a strong Laurel club that went on to win by a five-goal margin.

“The kids played really well under tough condition,” U14 coach Jenny Wilting said. “We played short three players and in the extreme heat. We are ready for the State Cup this weekend. We have played all the teams in the cup during the regular season and despite our record we feel we can win if we play like we are capable.”

Both teams will be in Livingston for the State Cup this Saturday. The U14 will open with Sidney at 1:15 p.m., and the U19 team will open its tournament against Red Lodge at 8 a.m.