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Lady Pirates work hard with divisionals coming

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POLSON — The competition is good-natured, but it’s there as the Polson High Schools girls practice soccer at Linderman field. 

Head coach Michael Hewston and assistant Jose Franco focus on competition and how each individual player is improving. 

With eight girls on the team, who prior to this season never played soccer at any level, and only five returning players, Hewston said he and Franco understand that not all of the girls play at the same level.

“We play games within the game,” Hewston explained. 

The team puts extra emphasis on fundamentals, he said. For instance, for every three touches — times each player gets her foot on the ball — she scores one “point.” A statistician keeps track of the “points” so players can see their improvement easily.

 “Each and every one of them wants to help the team,” Hewston added.  “It’s a fun-loving, hard-working group.”

The team captains are Monica Cleveland, Sarah Howell and Linnea Madsen. A player stepped on Cleveland’s finger and broke it, so after surgery last week, she’s out for the season. Sophomore Keely Clairmont stepped up to take over Cleveland’s keeper spot.

Clairmont has always wanted to play keeper, so now she gets a shot. Hewston said the team has seen her leadership skills, and she’s developing a better view of the field.

She’ll play soccer next year, too.

“I’m kind of a busybody,” Clairmont said. “I like to have things to do.”

Howell is from a soccer family and has played “always.” She said the team is supportive of each other. Hewston helps everybody, Howell said, and explains the game and skills well, for new players as well as experienced players.

Melina Jore is a new player. 

“I love soccer now. I think I’ve improved greatly,” Jore said, adding that she’ll play again next year.

The first round of divisionals is coming up Oct. 12 and is based on record, Hewston said, with two spots Polson’s conference. The Lady Pirates’ conference record is 2/3 and overall it’s 2/5.

Whitefish is typically first or second in the conference, he said. Both Whitefish and Columbia Falls are tough teams, but for the last two years Polson girls have really been able to compete with Bigfork and Libby.

“For us to make the playoffs, we need to beat Libby by more than 5-2,” Hewston said.

He added that the Lady Pirates beat Bigfork, and Bigfork tied Libby. This week brings the Lady Pirates a chance to clash with Libby and Columbia Falls.

State competition starts on Oct. 27, according to Hewston. Billings Central is the state champion and has been for a long time, Hewston said. 

“Hustle trumps skill,” Hewston said of his team. “We really have a group of athletes.” 

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