Page 60 - Flathead Beacon // 12.14.16

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DECEMBER 14, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM
MONTANA SIDELINES
A ROUNDUP OF LOCAL SPORTS NEWS
Kalispell’s Brenneman Earns All-Paci c Honors in Soccer
Tess Brenneman, a Kalispell native and senior defender on the University of Montana women’s soccer team, was named All-Paci c Region. The National Soccer Coaches Association of America awarded Brenneman second-team hon- ors, the highest NSCAA honor for a Griz- zly since 2000.
Brenneman, a center back who started all 20 matches this fall, was voted rst- team All-Big Sky Conference last month for the second straight year. The former all-state Flathead Bravette didn’t miss a match in her university career, playing in all 81 of Montana’s games the last four seasons, two o the program record of 83, set by Shannon Forslund. Brenneman started the team’s last 69 matches, 77 overall, the fourth-highest total in pro- gram history.
Montana went 9-6-5 in Brenneman’s nal season and tied for third in the Big Sky with a 5-2-3 league record. The Griz- zlies led the Big Sky in both goals-against average (0.80) and shutouts (9).
The All-Paci c Region honor recog- nizes Brenneman as one of the best Divi- sion I soccer players from the Big Sky, Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences.
“This is a well-deserved award for Tess and a nice way to highlight the work she put in over the last ve seasons,” said Montana’s sixth-year head coach Mark Plakorus.
Brenneman redshirted in the 2012 season. She was one of Montana’s start- ing outside backs in 2013 and 2014. She moved to center back for the 2015 sea- son and was on the eld for all but 58 of the team’s nearly 4,000 minutes of game action the last two seasons. She was voted rst-team All-Big Sky both years.
“Tess put in the work to become a bet- ter player every year she was a member of the team,” said Plakorus. “She is going to be hard to replace.”
Brenneman is the sixth player to earn NSCAA all-region honors under Pla- korus. Kalispell native Maddey Frey earned third-team honors in 2013, along with Erin Craig in 2012 and Tyler Adair,
Brooke Moody and Hallie Widner in 2014. The last Montana player to earn second-team Paci c Region honors was Forslund in 2000.
Brenneman was one of ve play- ers from the Big Sky to earn All-Paci c honors.
Voisin Grabs Silver at Dew Tour after Winning Jib Contest
Maggie Voisin is o to a shiny start this ski season.
The 17-year-old freestyle skier from White sh earned a silver medal on the second day of the Dew Tour at Brecken- ridge, Colorado.
A day after placing third in the slope- style jumps competition, Voisin won the jib contest on Dec. 10 with an impressive run that boosted her overall two-day score to 153.32. Her nal tally secured her a second-place nish in the overall contest.
“So grateful to nish in 2nd place @ dewtour,” she posted on Instagram after- ward. “Its an honor to share the podium with these two talented ladies! ... Also shoutout to all the girls who skied the last few days with the tough weather. You all make this sport so special and way too fun!”
Fourteen-year-old rising star Kelly Sildaru won the two-day contest with a nal score of 159.33. Kaya Turski was third, 146.99.
The Flathead Valley was well repre- sented at the Dew Tour event, which fea- tured many of the best skiers and snow- boarders in the world. Alongside Voisin, Adam Delorme was the men’s team cap- tain for Faction and Tanner Hall was the team captain of Armada in the ski team challenge.
The Dew Tour competition marked the beginning of the competition season. Voisin, who earned a spot on the 2014 Olympic team, is back as one of the stars of the sport. She has a busy winter ahead of her. She was invited to compete in the X Games at the end of January. Last year she placed fourth in the slopestyle com- petition and in 2014 she earned a silver medal.
BY DILLON TABISH
Tess Brenneman.
COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA