Dogs stomp Pirates in title game rematch
<p>Whitefish forward Tommy Murphy battles for a loose ball in a match against Bigfork.</p>
Making it look easy at times, Whitefish’s boys soccer team knocked off two of the league’s top contenders last week.
The Bulldogs rolled past Bigfork 5-0 on Thursday, then crushed the Polson Pirates 8-1 on Saturday, the team that was runner-up to Whitefish in last year’s Class A state championship game.
Against the Vikings, senior Curran Edland led the way with a pair of goals, including a one-timer in the 22nd minute, and a beauty in the 52nd minute on a free kick.
Nathan Boone tallied in the 29th on a blast to the right side of the net.
The Vikings kept it close in the first half by packing in defenders and clogging passing lanes, which frustrated the Bulldogs’ top scorers.
“A lot of our coaching has been on how to counter attack and build up from the back,” Whitefish coach O’Brien Byrd said. “But we’ve held so much possession, now we’re focusing on how to open up teams that just sit on their own half. We’re finding opportunities and space when there isn’t much space.”
Sam Donaldson scored one minute into the second half after beating a charging defender inside the penalty box to open up the game. Sean Janni added another goal on a header off a corner kick in the 45th.
The shutout was Whitefish’s fifth of the season. Keeper Thomas Clark had two saves in the effort.
“Our team defense has been just stifling,” Byrd said.
Whitefish again struggled to finish opportunities in the first half of Saturday’s match against Polson. Despite controlling the pitch, it was just 2-0 at the break.
Edland tallied off an assist from Janni in the ninth minute and Donaldson scored on a header off another assist from Janni to account for the two scores.
Whitefish broke open the game after regrouping at half time.
Edland scored in the 47th minute off a pass from Walter Sobba, followed by goals from Boone and Donaldson.
Tommy Murphy added scores in the 66th and 74th minutes.
Byrd commended Murphy and junior Connor Gray for stepping up to fill important roles on the pitch.
“They’ve done a great job for us,” Byrd said.
The Pirates spoiled the shutout effort when Jonah Kansnitz scored in the 79th minute.
Whitefish next faces valley rival Columbia Falls this Thursday at 3:30 p.m. at home.
“This is the strongest team Columbia Falls has fielded in years,” Byrd said. “They are looking to make the playoffs, and possibly steal one from the Bulldogs. It’s going to be a good match up.”
Polson 0 1 – 1
Whitefish 2 6 – 8
W – Curran Edland (Janni), 9:00
W – Sam Donaldson (Janni), 13:00
W – Edland (Walter Sobba), 47:00
W – Boone (Donaldson), 57:00
W – Donaldson, 62:00
W – Tommy Murphy (Boone), 66:00
W – Murphy (Boone), 74:00
W – Boone, 77:00
P – Kasnitz (Helgeson), 79:00
Shots – Polson 1, Whitefish 10. Saves – Polson 5 (Trevor Basler), Whitefish 2 (Thomas Clark). Corner kicks – Polson 0, Whitefish 8. Total fouls – Polson 1, Whitefish 3. Yellow cards – Whitefish 1. Red cards – none.
Bigfork 0 0 – 0
Whitefish 2 3 – 5
W – Edland (Murphy), 22:00
W – Boone (Sean Janni), 29:00
W – Donaldson (Murphy), 41:00
W – Janni (Murphy), 45:00
W – Edland, 52:00
Shots – Bigfork 2, Whitefish 11. Saves – Bigfork 6 (Dillon Hilling), Whitefish 2 (Thomas Clark). Corner kicks – Bigfork 3, Whitefish 8. Total fouls – Bigfork 4, Whitefish 6. Yellow cards – none. Red cards – none.