The 2022 Class A state soccer champions will not get the chance to defend their title at the end of October. The Columbia Falls Wildcats fell 2-1 to Corvallis in the first round of the state playoffs on Saturday.
The Wildcats got on the board first with a goal from senior Kai Golan, his 68th career goal, tying the all-class Montana state record, according to the latest record keeping from the Montana High School Association. Golan also ends his high school career with 45 assists, the second-most in state history.
Whitefish, a program that has claimed four of the last five state titles, surpassed Livingston 2-0, avenging last year’s semifinal loss that prevented the Bulldogs from what would have been a sixth straight appearance in the state final. The Bulldogs, who are undefeated this year, will face Lone Peak on Oct. 21 for chance to return to the final.