'Dogs tie Pirates in defensive battle

An inch too far, a foot too wide.

That's how Bulldogs soccer coach O'Brien Byrd wrapped up Thursday's 0-0 tie at home to Polson in a Northern A conference match. It was the first time the Polson Pirates have not lost to Whitefish in Byrd's coaching career.

"We were off by just a second the entire game," Byrd said of his team's performance in their second conference match of the season. "Playing an opponent like Polson — where they're not giving us an inch — it makes things difficult."

Whitefish dominated time of possession throughout both halves, but equaled Polson in shots on goal, with five attempts.

It was, as Byrd called it, a defensive battle by both squads.

Whitefish's midfield ruled the field for most of the game, but the 'Dogs failed to convert on any of their through-pass attempts to forwards Jack Steele, Curran Edland or Travis Adams.

Goalkeeper Alex Whitaker, making his first start after being out for four games, made a game-saving stop early in the second half after Polson blasted a shot to the left side of the goal.

"We easily could have lost," Byrd said. "That save was world class."

Byrd was pleased with how his defense responded to Polson's few, but quick, offensive strikes.

"The defense was not getting a lot of action, and it's easy to get in la la land back there, then, all of sudden, be under threat," Byrd said. "To be able to keep focus is great."

He pointed to senior Matt Danczyk as leading the back line in the game. Danczyk was recently moved to the sweeper position from midfield in an effort to beef up the Bulldogs' defensive line.

"I put him in there to stop the carnage," Byrd said. "He is traditionally a center mid, but I put him back there to get some backbone and grit out of the defense."

Byrd said fullbacks Tanner Hosek, Joseph Perry and John Joran, as well as stopper Taylor Thompson, all played an outstanding game.

Offensively, the Bulldogs had trouble creating and finishing quality scoring opportunities.

Multiple times late in the second half, with the game still in the balance, seniors Adams and Cristian Saavedra opened fire on Polson's goal, but missed just over the crossbar or wide of the post.

"We were desperate for a goal in the last 10 minutes, and that steps up the adrenaline," Byrd said. "There was urgency, but also, we were frustrated and we strayed from the game plan and our style of play."

Byrd says that in upcoming conference matches his team needs to focus on the offensive third of the game.

"We need to create more scoring opportunities," he said. "We will work on our decision making and work on the timing of our runs."

The Bulldogs next play Columbia Falls at home on Thursday at 3 p.m.

Polson 0 0 - 0

Whitefish 0 0 - 0

Shots on goal - Polson 5, Whitefish 5. Saves - Polson 5 (Clay Frissell), Whitefish 5 (Alex Whitaker). Corner kicks - Polson 2, Whitefish 3. Total fouls - Polson 4, Whitefish 9. Yellow cards - Whitefish 2. Red cards - none.