GREAT FALLS — In the first crosstown soccer match-up of the year in Great Falls, the Great Falls CMR girls couldn't have had a better game defensively as they shut out the Great Falls Bison 1-0.
With eight minutes left in the first half, freshman Lillian Skaer struck first for the Rustlers as she scored outside the 18-yard box to score the only goal of the game for either team.
The second half would be a defensive stalemate as both keepers Robin Blair and Riley Schei would have stellar performances in goal. The Rustlers get their first win on the season while the Bison fall to 0-7.
For the boys, CMR would have ample opportunities in the first half but wouldn't be able to capitalize until right before the half Treve Mans nets it from long range giving the Rustlers the lead at half 1-0.
In the second half though, Great Falls High's Corbyn Smith would tie it up 1-1 with a keeper error as the ball would go right through his hands and then later on with five minutes left in the game, Jake McCluey found his way behind the defense on a through ball to seal the win for the Bison.
The Bison get their first win of the season as well, improving to 1-4-2 while Great Falls CMR drops to 0-7.
The match-up featured a touching scene as both programs for the boys and girls were seen donning warm-up shirts with the printed "Emma Strong" emblem to show support for Great Falls High soccer player Emma Pachek, who was forced to sit out the season due to a rare blood disorder. Since her diagnosis this past summer, the Great Falls community has put together the ongoing fundraiser Emma Strong through the Be The Match organization to register blood stem cell donors as well as raise money for athletic scholarships in the community.
