BILLINGS -- Freshman Mary Speare delivered three goals for Billings West on Tuesday night and Chloe Davies added the other two as the Golden Bears blanked Billings Senior 5-0 in Eastern AA girls soccer action.
Speare delivered her first with 6:24 remaining in the opening half of a scoreless match, later connected on a follow shot midway through the second and scored her prettiest goal of the night capitalizing on a perfect through-ball from Avery Kimmel. Speare outraced a defender, then rocketed home a laser from 15 yards that spun through the hands of goalkeeper Brenna Linse.
Despite missing leading goal-scorer Emma Lensing, who has been sidelined with a foot injury through the last four matches, the Bears (6-0-2) led 1-0 at intermission and kicked it into high gear early in the second half for the shutout victory over the Broncs (4-5-0) as both teams celebrated Senior Night. After opening the schedule 3-0-0, the Broncs dropped their fifth match in six attempts.
Tuesday's nightcap between the boys, which finished in a scoreless draw, was highlighted by intensity and physicality.
The outcome was a stark turnaround for West, which lost 6-0 in the season's first meeting. Senior has outscored opponents 37-1 through nine games.
The Broncs were forced to finish with 10 players after a collision between Trey Draayer and West goalkeeper Dillon Haff with about 30 minutes left. Draayer was hit with a red card and escorted away, while Haff didn't return after being helped off with a leg injury.
Despite playing down a man, the Broncs were still able to manage several shots on goal, including a laser that bounced off the post.
Senior (7-0-2) still leads Bozeman (6-1-0) in the Eastern AA standings. West sits at 3-3-2.
