Across town at Capital High, the Bruins reeled off 26 shots, but couldn't find the net and lost 1-0 to Hellgate.

Helena travels to Sentinel Thursday, then plays host to Capital Tuesday. Capital is off until the Crosstown Clash.

Helena 3, Big Sky 1

Brophy drew first blood for the Bengals at the 23rd minute. When defender Eve Book fired in a pass towards the middle, Taylor Edwards deflected the ball to Brophy, who shook the net with a swift left-footed kick.

"I've played forward all my life, so I kind of know what they like," said Book, who is in her first year on the back line. "It's really exciting to be part of an assist."

The Eagles' Sierra Smith scored at the 38:00 mark, and the first half ended tied at 1-1.

After the intermission, Brophy found the net again, unassisted, at 47:00, which turned out to be the deciding score.

"I just dribbled it around the top of the 18-yard line and poked it to the left side of the net," Brophy said.

Whitney Gerleman added an insurance tally at 64:00 off a Kelli Hubley corner kick.

Demi Wignot and freshman Megan Upham both just missed scoring, bouncing shots off the crossbar. Helena's defense turned in a solid effort, with junior keeper Poe Hildreth helping out with five saves.

"We connect well in the back, the defense has really helped me to adjust," said Book.

"When we started this season, we had half a team that had never played together before," said coach Mike Meloy. "But, today, everybody played together as one. I can't single out anyone, because it was a well-balanced team effort. This was a big win for us."

Hellgate 1, Capital 0

As in several games this season, the Bruins outshot an opponent, but failed to score and lost to the visiting Knights.

Capital outshot Hellgate 26-9.

Hellgate took a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute when Nikki Wilkins scored unassisted and then just worked to keep the Bruins from the net.

"We're getting plenty of shots," said senior Molly Wilkins. "We just need to put them in."

After a 3-1 win over Sentinel in their opener, the Bruins have scored just twice in four games.

"We're getting shots," Wilkins said, "so we're not worried about our play."

HELENA 3, BIG SKY 1

Big Sky 1 0 - 1

Helena 1 2 - 3

HHS - Lauren Brophy (Taylor Edwards, Eve Book), 23:00

MBS - Sierra Smith, 38:00

HHS - Brophy, 47:00

HHS - Whitney Gerleman (Kelli Hubley), 64:00

Shots on goal - MBS 14, HHS 26

HELLGATE 1, CAPITAL 0

Hellgate 1 0 - 1

Capital 0 0 - 0

H - Nikki Wilkins, 8:00

Shots, Capital 27, Hellgate 9

Cliff Pfenning contributed to this report.

Reporter Curt Synness;

449-2150 or curt52s@bresnan.net

HELENA 3, BIG SKY 1

Big Sky 1 0 - 1

Helena 1 2 - 3

HHS - Lauren Brophy (Taylor Edwards, Eve Book), 23:00

MBS - Sierra Smith, 38:00

HHS - Brophy, 47:00

HHS - Whitney Gerleman (Kelli Hubley), 64:00

Shots on goal - MBS 14, HHS 26

HELLGATE 1, CAPITAL 0

Hellgate 1 0 - 1

Capital 0 0 - 0

H - Nikki Wilkins, 8:00

Shots, Capital 27, Hellgate 9