United geared up for annual Montana Cup

While most high school-age sports in the state of Montana concluded a couple weeks ago, the Hi-Line United soccer team, a local club soccer team, will take part in the Montana Cup this weekend in Livingston, where they will battle six other teams for their state championship.

The Montana Cup opens Saturday and the United will begin its tournament at 9:30 a.m. against Lewistown, followed by another game in group play Saturday night versus Livingston, the host team, at 5.

In recent years, the United have competed at the U19 level and would have done so again this year, but Clifford Lehnhardt, the team's oldest player, won't be competing, so the United, who have a younger roster than in previous seasons, will participate in the U16 Montana Cup, which should give the 2-10 squad a chance to be more competitive.

"I think our chances are pretty good this weekend," United head coach Jayson Burrington said. "If we play together and work as a team, we can go all the way. And our goal is come to back with the medal as state champions."

In all, there will be seven teams taking part in the tournament and in addition to the United, Livingston, Lewistown, Sidney, Red Lodge, Miles City and Stevensville will also be vying for the state title in the U16 age group.

All seven teams will take part in group play Saturday, which will determine seeding and the bracket for the knockout phase of the tournament. That phase of the tournament will take place Sunday, along with the championship game.