Dogs move on to semifinals

Whitefish’s boys soccer team took care

of business in the opening round of the state Class A playoffs with

a 5-0 victory over Missoula Loyola. The win puts the Bulldogs one

step closer to their preseason goal of winning a state title.

They travel to Frenchtown Saturday

after the Broncs stunned top-ranked Billings Central 3-2.

Missoula scrapped with Whitefish until

Elior Rossi broke through with a goal in the 38th minute off a pass

from Sam Donaldson.

“Loyola is a strong, fast and

competitive team with a really good goalie,” Whitefish coach

O’Brien Byrd said. “We struggled a little bit with finishing. Our

tactic was sound and we were creating loads of chances, but we

couldn’t score. We want to create a realistic opportunity on goal

before we take a chance.”

“We nipped one in right at the half,

which was really good for our momentum.”

The Dogs wasted little time building on

their 1-0 halftime lead. Donaldson scored twice, at the 61st and

63rd minute, including a penalty kick, to give Whitefish breathing

room.

Curran Edland had the play of the game

in the 66th minute when he knocked in a one-timer off a cross from

Sean Janni. Rossi capped the scoring in the 70th minute.

“We were very patient and scored four

more goals in the second half,” Byrd said. “When the nut cracked

the goals went flying in.”

The win marked Whitefish’s 10th

consecutive. They haven’t allowed a goal scored against them since

Sept. 27. Byrd commended the defensive unit’s effort.

“One of their goals is to not let

anyone score on us,” Byrd said. “That’s a huge goal. Huge credit to

the defenders and our goalie. They are very confident and that

builds up the pitch. It gives our forwards more confidence.”

The coach noted the three captains,

Mark Stormes, Joe Perry and Matty McCrone.

“They’ve been providing tremendous

leadership,” he said.

The looming match with Frenchtown

presents a bit of a mystery. Frenchtown has seven foreign exchange

students, which all recently became eligible to play, and their win

over Billings Central is widely considered an upset. Frenchtown

also plays on a football field, which is smaller than a traditional

soccer field.

“They will be a skilled team,” Byrd

said. “We have to stay focused, motivated and level-headed.”

The game is slated for Oct. 22 at 1

p.m.

Loyola-VC 0 0 - 0

Whitefish 1 4 - 5

W - Elior Rossi (Sam Donaldson),

38:00

W - Donaldson (Rossi), 61:00

W - Donaldson (Rossi), 63:00

W - Curran Edland (Sean Janni),

66:00

W - Rossi (Edland), 70:00

Shots - Loyola-VC 2, Whitefish 17.

Saves - Loyola-VC 12 (Jason Englert), Whitefish 4 (Thomas Clark).

Corner kicks - Loyola-VC 0, Whitefish 5. Total fouls - Loyola-VC

10, Whitefish 10. Yellow cards - Whitefish 1. Red cards - none.