HELENA — Ninety minutes wasn’t enough for Helena Capital and Kalispell Flathead on Thursday.
Caleb Hoxie scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime as Capital defeated Flathead 3-2 in a Western AA soccer playoff, advancing the Bruins to the program’s first state tournament since 2010. The No. 4 seed took advantage of two Hoxie goals in the win.
Hoxie scored the opening goal of the match, a perfect free kick from Aidan Adamek that the junior headed into goal from the left side of the box, sneaking past Flathead keeper Max Warnell for a 1-0 advantage. The Braves tied the match when Walt Hollensteiner dribbled past the Bruins’ defense for a successful shot attempt on the right side.
The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime.
Eli Voss broke the tie late in the second half, taking another assist from Adamek to give Capital a 2-1 lead. But Flathead’s Ethan Vandenbosch scored in what was a flurry of the final minute, pushing the game to overtime. Neither team scored in the first set of extra minutes, leading to Hoxie’s heroics in the second overtime.
Helena Capital is the final Western AA boys team to qualify for the state tournament, which will be held at Helena’s Siebel Soccer Complex beginning Thursday, Oct. 25. Three-time defending champion Missoula Hellgate earned the league’s top seed and automatic bye, while Helena High clinched a trip to state as the No. 2 seed.
Missoula Sentinel edged Kalispell Glacier 3-2 on Thursday, earning the Western AA’s No. 3 seed in the state bracket.
