Boys pound Libby, earn No. 1 seed

Whitefish capped a perfect run through their regular season Saturday with another dominating performance on the pitch. Led by a pack of seniors, Whitefish’s boys soccer team pounded Libby 11-0 at home on senior day to give the Bulldogs the Northern A league title.

“It was a special day,” Whitefish coach O’Brien Byrd said. “All nine seniors started and they all played tremendously.”

“This is a special group of seniors. They are veterans who have a state title under their belt. To have that experience is very valuable. It was awesome to give the seniors a farewell homecoming game and get the result as well.”

Iaian Cameron, Nathan Boone, Curran Edland and Sam Donaldson each tallied twice in the effort. Donaldson now has 21 goals on the season, four away from the state record of 25 he set last season.

Byrd commended Cameron, calling the senior a valuable asset going into the playoffs.

“Iaian turned in a tremendous performance,” Byrd said. “He’s full of confidence. Having a guy like that coming in is great for us.”

Whitefish (12-0, 8-0) moves on to the Class A playoffs this Saturday when they host Park High of Livingston. The Bulldogs were tested by Park early in the season but emerged with a 5-1 victory.

“Park is a very big, physical and athletic group,” Byrd said. “They have four or five solid players that we have to be aware of on the counterattack.

“I think we learned about respect in the game at Park. Now we have an opportunity to show we can keep focus and get the job done.”

Whitefish will host Park at 1 p.m. on Saturday. As the No. 1 seed, the Bulldogs will host each of their playoff games.

“This is a great opportunity,” Byrd said about gaining the No. 1 seed. “The stars are aligning for us and we are peaking at the right time. Now we have got to seize that opportunity.”

Libby 0 0 — 0

Whitefish 5 6 —11

WHITEFISH — Iaian Cameron (Brandon Fuehrer), 9:00; Nathan Boone (Cameron), 11:00; Cameron (Boone), 12:00; Curran Edland (Cameron), 16:00; Boone (Edland), 22:00; Edland (Sam Donaldson), 43:00; Donaldson (Boone), 49:00; Tommy Murphy (Boone), 53:00; Donaldson (Boone), 58:00; Edland, 60:00; Mozi Gerber, 73:00.

Shots on goal — Libby 1, Whitefish 19

Corner kicks — Libby 0, Whitefish 4

Goalie saves — Libby 8 (Austin Nagle), Whitefish 1 (Thomas Clark)

Fouls — Libby 5, Whitefish 10