Local Sports

Ranger girls soccer season ends in loss

Published on Tue, 10/20/2020 - 3:33pm

After a tough season, the young Ranger girls soccer team, boasting just one senior player, made it to the first round of the playoffs Saturday, where they fought hard but fell to Whitefish 5-1, bringing their 2020 season to a close.  

“It was a tough game,” said Head Coach Matt Pierson. “We played well, but just not our best I guess.”

Whitefish was tough competition, especially with a home field advantage, Pierson said. On top of that, there were some poor calls that may have cost the Rangers the game, he said. 

Ranger volleyball team puts up fight against Fergus

Published on Mon, 10/19/2020 - 4:38pm
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The Ranger volleyball team suffered another in a string of close, hard-fought losses Friday against Fergus. 

The game ended in just three sets, but the Rangers fought hard in each. The Rangers came back from a big deficit in the first set, but ultimately lost 25-17. 

The girls kept their heads up, however, and made the Fergus girls want it in the second set, losing just 25-21. The third set was a repeat of the second: the Rangers wanted to take the game to a fourth, badly. 

They just couldn’t quite cut it and lost 25-20. 

Annual Moose Chase Kids Race keeps tradition going with virtual challenges

Published on Thu, 10/15/2020 - 4:45pm
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Organizers of the 12th annual Moose Chase Kids Race are deeming the event a success.  

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic forced the annual community event to go virtual this year in an effort to ensure the safety of the participants and their families, according to a news release.

A week of bonus challenges were offered during the week of the race, Sept. 27 to Oct. 4.  

Challenges were designed to encourage participants to get outside, be active and explore the community all while maintaining social distancing and COVID safety protocols, the release said.

Rangers top Laurel, prepare for playoffs

Published on Fri, 10/09/2020 - 4:14pm

After cinching a win against Laurel Thursday, the Ranger boys soccer team is looking like a good contender for the first or second seed in the upcoming state tournament. 

The playoffs start Oct. 17, and the championship game will most likely be played Oct. 31. The boys and girls team only have one last game of conference play to determine their seed in the tournament, against Billings Central at home Saturday. 

Park High Rangers struggle to hit their stride

Published on Tue, 10/06/2020 - 12:00am

The Park High School volleyball team traveled to Hardin Saturday and suffered another in a string of losses.

Ranger boys tie Lone Peak Saturday

Published on Mon, 10/05/2020 - 12:00am

After a hard-fought game in difficult conditions, the Ranger boys soccer team left Lone Peak with a tie, bringing their season record to 2-2-1.

Ranger girls, boys log second wins

Published on Thu, 10/01/2020 - 12:00am
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The Park High School soccer teams squared up against Lone Peak with a home field advantage on Wednesday, and the boys and girls squads both secured another win for the season. The girls record for the season is 2-2, and the boys are 2-1-1.

Ranger volleyball squad topples Fergus

Published on Mon, 09/28/2020 - 2:53pm

The Ranger volleyball squad secured its first win against the Fergus Golden Eagles Friday, but couldn’t quite keep up with the Gardiner Bruins Saturday. 

“We are glad that we are only about one-third of the way through our game schedule because it’s time to switch things up a bit,” Head Coach Brenda Speake said Monday. “The great thing about this team is that athletes can play in multiple positions because they are athletic and adaptable. We are rebuilding to create a stronger offense for the rest of the season.” 

Split results in first soccer games at home

Published on Fri, 09/25/2020 - 3:00pm
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The Ranger girls soccer team is off to a tough start, losing its first home game 0-8 to the Laurel Locomotives Thursday night. 

Though the score might not reflect it, the team showed strength on the field. They started with great speed but struggled on offense for the remainder of the game. Their defense was tireless, fending off Laurel’s forwards for most of the game.

“We played really well for the first ten minutes. Our players are starting to see where they need to improve and that makes a huge difference,” girls head coach Matt Pierson said.

Ranger ‘froshmen’ squad falls to Manhattan Tigers

Published on Tue, 09/22/2020 - 3:18pm

The Ranger football freshmen and sophomore players, or the “froshmen” squad, lost 0-30 to the Tiger froshmen squad in Manhattan. 

“We have some work to do on that level,” Head Coach Nick Coate said. “It was a team loss. It falls more on me than on the players.”

The young players are the future of Ranger football, and Coate said the loss was a valuable developmental experience, exposing the weak areas of play to the coach.