United continues to grow soccer in Havre

Soccer is consistently growing in the state of Montana, and Havre is no exception, as three Hi-Line United squads get ready for the new season.

Hi-Line United players Kait McKnight (right) and Yolanda Pinto battle for a ball during the United's scrimmage Tuesday night at the Havre High soccer fields. There are three United teams competing this spring and the program's numbers are thriving.

Over the past few years, as the program has been built from the ground up, numbers have been up and down. But after the coed U19 squad won the state title last season, numbers are good, as nearly sixty kids ranging from the age of 12 to the age of 19 have flocked to the pitch to fill the U19 coed, U14 coed and U19 girls squads.

Head coach Briyan Flores is still at the helm for the U19 coed team, and while they lost quite a few kids from last year's team, Flores still has some leaders, and experienced players to lean on.

Logan Pike, Sam Lippy, Erik Woodwick, Jayson Burrington and Jarred Russell have all put in their share of time in a United uniform, and it has paid off. The five captains of the squad were crucial players last season, and should be this season, as they help mold the younger players for this season, as well as the seasons to come.

"They have all shown true leadership roles," Flores said, "And we know that they will set an incredible example for our young players. This year is the passing of the torch. We have players on this team that have played with Hi-Line for over six years, and this will be their last one with the club. The focus of the year is to make sure the leadership roles will transfer to next year."

The rest of the roster is built around Elijah David, Sean Dugdale, Elizabeth Facio, Desmond Fialkosky, Evan Flathers, Angelo Flores, Matthew Hodgson, Taran Huestis, Andrew Kafka, Kaitlyn McKnight, Troy Mord, Kiana Robertson, Payton Robertson and Carlos Tovar. Players like David have come up through the middle school ranks, and should be huge contributors in the near future, while newcomers like Flathers have worked extremely hard and will also look to help out where needed. Tovar is also a first year United player, but has a solid soccer background, and is expected to make an immediate impact.

"Our younger players not only look like a promising bunch," Coach Flores said. "They love the sport and have dedicated time at practice, as well as their personal time to better their skills. The future looks great for Hi-Line United."

But while it is a solid group of players, team chemistry is still being questioned. Not all of the kids have played soccer before, and for most, this is the first time playing together.

"Being that soccer is a team sport," coach Flores said. "Chemistry will be what we will be battling this year. I think it will take time for the players to adjust to each other and really understand their positioning. We feel that the talent is there, it just comes down to making sure we play together as a unit."

The coed United team has 14 games this season, and just two in Havre. The games in Havre will be against Miles City and Sidney on May 12 at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively. The United will also play in Sidney, Big Timber, Butte, Lewistown, Billings and Hamilton, with the state tournament being held in Great Falls.

Neil Wiken coaches the girls U19 team, and he is also optimistic, outdoing last years numbers with 19 girls on the team this season. And with a good mix of experienced and newcomers, the fundamentals the team is focusing on right now, will hopefully turn into a successful season later down the road.

"We have many returning players with field experience," Wiken said. "And some new players that are fitting right in. Last season our roster was smaller, and we went into every game with an understrength team, until the tournament. This year we have a full team on the field and subs, so that will make a huge difference. We are concentrating on basic skills and techniques that will translate to solid play on game day."

WIken also has a solid coaching staff, who he is heavily relying on to make the Hi-Line girls some of the best in the state.

Jamie Standaert is the team's techniques coach, and is a former college soccer player with a great understanding of the game of soccer. And Hongmanie Nachampassak is the strength and conditioning coach, whom Wiken also said has a great understanding of the game. Nachampassak has been combining strength training with field time, getting the girls ready for game like sceneriors.

"A soccer game runs 90 minutes," Wiken said. "The girls will be in play the entire time. Endurance is key, and soccer players are ranked as some of the top conditioned athletes. They also need quick reaction, bursts of speed, and constant situational awareness. There is so much more to soccer than kicking a ball and getting it in the net."

This year's roster consists of Kayla Berg, Lynnea Bosch, Monica Boyce, Katie Christianson, Leigha Hansen, Elizabeth Hinebauch, Brianna Kaftan, Mikell Kinsella, Madison Knudson, Breanna Lavalley, Yolanda Pinto, Ryann Preputin, Larissa Price, Jessica Pyette, Shelby Scheresky-O'Neil, Lauren Scofield, Boston Swensen, Kasey Wenger and Jessica Wiken.

The girls will play 10 games this season, none at home because a lack of refs. But they will play in Butte, Livingston, Belgrade Great Falls and Helena.

"The girls are all committed to working hard and playing hard," Coach Wiken said. "We have ten matches between April 14th, and June 8, five Saturdays with two games each day. The days are long, but rewarding. I have been traveling as a parent of two soccer players for 6 years. This year, I will be in the coach's box on the other side of the field. I am excited to watch this team on the field, both as a coach and as a father."

Last, but not least, the U14 coed team coached by Pamela Hillery also houses a full roster this season.

Making up the team is Ian Doll, Alec Drew, Dylan Hendrickson, Keegan Kenelly, Trinity Leeds, Clifford Lenhardt, Corey Lloyd, Rory Milligan, Rio Overcast, Trenton Parrotte, Ty Pyette, Megan Rainey, Michelle Rainey, Randi Ruhkamp, Trey Scofield, Vander Swenson, Caroline Tuss and Mitchell Woods.

The middle young United squad won't play a home game either. But just like the U19 girls, the U14 squad has a tough schedule taking them all over Montana. The U14 team will play in Miles City, Helena, Billings, Butte, Livingston and Missoula, as they hope to emerge as one of the top teams in the state as well.

Hi-Line United Schedules

U19 coed schedule

4/14/12 in Sidney

Lewistown

Sidney

4/21/12 in Big Timber

Big Timber

FC Missoula

4/28/12 in Butte

Butte

Laurel

5/5/12 in Lewistown

Lewistown

Miles City

5/12/12 in Havre

Miles City 12 p.m.

Sidney 4 p.m.

5/19/12 in Billings

Lewistown

Big Timber

6/2/12 in Hamilton

Ravalli

Missoula

U19 girls schedule

4/14/12 in Butte

Butte

Livingston

4/28/12 in Livingston

Belgrade

Livingston

5/12/12 in Belgrade

Belgrade

Butte

5/19/12 in Great Falls

Butte

Electric City SC

6/2/12 in Helena

Magic City

Laurel

U14 coed schedule

4/14/12 in Miles Cith

Butte

MC Posse

4/21/12 in Helena

Bozeman

Helena

4/28/12 in Billings

Magic City

Bozeman

5/12/12 in Butte

Belgrade

Bozeman

5/19/12 in Livingston

Bozeman

Livingston

6/2/12 in Missoula

Livingston

Kootenai Rapids