United soccer primed for a new season

For the second straight year, the Hi-Line United soccer program has been able to field three complete squads. And for the second straight spring the Hi-Line United U19 co-ed squad sets out to defend its state title.

Head coach Briayan Flores returns to the helm for the United, and is looking to capture his third straight state championship.

Hi-Line United U19 girls player Jess Wiken moves the ball during a U19 girls game against the Laurel Storm Saturday in Havre. The United have three teams competing on the piutch this spring.

Last year the United knocked off Big Timber in the state title game in Great Falls. United defeated the Wolves on two other occasions prior to the state chipper, but had to rely on a penalty shootout to capture the No. 1 finish for the second consecutive season. And with another solid group of returners, with ample experience on the pitch, it shouldn't be a surprise to anybody across the state if the United return to soccer supremacy.

But the United also lost some very key players.

Logan Pike, Sam Lippy, Erik Woodwick, Jayson Burrington and Jarred Russell were team captains last season, but are all absent from this year's roster. They also lose Evan Flathers, Taran Huestis, Kaitlyn McKnight, Payton Robertson and Carlos Tovar. But returning to the roster is Elijah David, Sean Dugdale, Desmond Fialkosky, Angelo Flores, Matthew Hodgson, Troy Mord, and Kiana Robertson, while the team also adds players like William Arocha, Christian Bautista, Brean Broadhead, Tristan Manuel, Spencer Obresley, Ty Pyette, Brandon Robertson, Trey Scofield and Derek Vandessel.

Players like David will be key in his second season, as will Angelo Flores and Mord. But coach Flores will need some new and young athletes to step up and make names for themselves, as the United lost a great goalie in Huestis, as well as the heart of the scoring attack with players like Tovar and Pike.

The season began April 6, but there is still a long road left until the state tournament in mid June. The United will face tough teams like Butte, Ravalli, Laurel, Livingston, Big Timber, Sidney, MC Posse and Red Lodge throughout the season. They have their work cut out for them, but will look to keep the state title streak alive for the third straight season.

Hongmanie Nachampassak will also coach the Hi-Line United U19 girls team, while Danielle Woods will coach a Hi-Line United U-14 squad this season. They too started their season in early April, and will need athletes to step up to carry the load down the stretch of a tough season.

The U19 girls bring in Kayla Berg, Lynnea Bosch, Megan Cline, Elizabeth Hinebauch, Brianna Kaftan, Trinity Leeds, Sarah Manuel, Destiny Martin, Karina Partida, Julea Pratt, Jessica Pyette, Kelli Reynolds, Boston Swensen and Jess Wiken.

Berg, Bosch, Hinebauch, Kaftan, Pyette, Swensen and Wiken are all returners, and give the United much needed experience in a season that matches them up against teams like Belgrade, Helena, Livingston, MC Posse, Laurel Magic City and Polson. The United played their only home games of the season on Saturday, and will be on the road from here on out.

In U14 action, the Hi-Line squad will also face teams like Big Timber, Bozeman, Magic City, MC Posse, Polson, Flathead and Sidney. This years team is made up of Noah Azure, John Colby, Tabbitha Davey, Allison Elliot, Dylan Hendrickson, Madison Knudson, Jennessa Leathermon, Clifford Lenhardt, Corey Lloyd, Rory Milligan, Rio Overcast, Trenton Parrotte, Megan Rainey, Michelle Rainey, Randi Ruhkamp, Vander Swenson, Aarron Thompson and Mitchell Woods.