The Columbia Falls Girls Soccer program is riding the momentum of a Class A state championship last year, and the outlook for 2026 is already taking shape. With the title still fresh in the minds of players and fans alike, the team is setting its sights on another deep run.
Coach Thomas Clark says the immediate goal is not merely to repeat the triumph but to embed a culture of unity and accountability that can withstand the heightened attention that comes with success. He believes that chemistry off the field will be the foundation for performance on it.
A culture of accountability
Clark has introduced a series of accountability drills during early practices, insisting that every player, regardless of position, holds themselves and their peers to the same standard of effort and discipline. The emphasis on collective responsibility is designed to prevent complacency, a pitfall that can creep in when a program enjoys recent triumphs.
Seniors Alexa Friske and Riley Byrd, who were key contributors in the title‑winning side, stress that trust among teammates was the invisible engine that drove their campaign. Their camaraderie helped the squad navigate tight matches and maintain focus during high‑pressure moments.
With five starters from the previous senior class having moved on, the remaining upperclassmen are now tasked with mentoring a wave of freshmen while shaping the tactical identity of the side. This transition requires older players to guide younger teammates and establish the team’s playing style early in the season.
The squad opens its 2026 schedule with a showdown against Laurel on Saturday, a match that will serve as an early barometer for how well the new chemistry is gelling. The game also marks the first opportunity for the team to test the accountability measures Clark has instituted.
Beyond the opening fixture, the team faces the perennial challenge of being the target of every opponent, a pressure that Clark believes can be turned into a rallying point if the group stays focused on its core values. Balancing postseason experience with the competitive pressure of being the focus of opponents will be a central theme as the season unfolds.