Helena's two varsity soccer programs opened conference play on September 1 with very different results, with Capital High earning a hard-fought road win while Helena High was shut out by a Missoula powerhouse.
The Capital High Bruins traveled to Missoula and came away with a 4-3 victory over the Big Sky Eagles in what appears to have been a back-and-forth match. A one-goal margin on the road in conference play is the kind of result that tends to stick in a program's memory — and in the standings.
Helena High's Bengals had a rougher afternoon, falling 5-0 to the Sentinel Spartans in Missoula. Sentinel has consistently been among the stronger programs in the Western AA, and a lopsided early-season conference loss isn't necessarily a season-defining moment — but it gives the Bengals a clear benchmark for where they need to improve as the schedule deepens.
Both programs will continue conference play in the coming weeks. Capital will look to build on the momentum of their opening win, while Helena High will be focused on tightening up defensively before their next test.