Soccer: Boys lose to Whitefish, beat Bigfork and Stevi
Ethan Austin fights for possession against a host of Whitefish defenders Tuesday at home. (Chris Peterson photo)
The game was closer than the score would ever suggest.
The Columbia Falls boys soccer team lost 4-1 to Whitefish at home Tuesday, but the bulk of the game was tense and well-played battle between two conference foes.
Whitefish scored early on a penalty kick to go up 1-0, then the Cats came back on a penalty kick by Fin Sundberg to tie it in the first half. Sundberg's initial kick didn’t go in, but he had the presence of mind to follow up on the rebound and hammered it in.
But about a minute and a half later, Whitefish scored another goal to go up 2-1.
It was largely a war of attrition after that. Columbia Falls had the edge on possessions the first half, while Whitefish did the second half.
A shot by Kai Golan in the second half came within inches of going in, which would have tied it.
The Cats pressed at the very end of the game, which opened up the defense.
Whitefish, a talented squad, took advantage and scored two goals in the closing minutes.
Columbia Falls keeper Bryce Dunham actually had an impressive game — he had some outstanding saves to keep the Cats in it.
Columbia Falls coach O’Brien Byrd was pleased with the effort by his young squad, which only has one senior starter.
He said the Cats won the first half in possessions.
“The guys went at it with everything,” he said. “I saw some performances I haven’t seen out of our guys before.”
In the second half, the team strayed from the game plan a bit, Byrd noted.
“I think we got a little carried away with the urgency,” he said.
Last week the Cats dropped conference rival Bigfork at home Thursday and Stevensville on the road Saturday.
The Cats scored early and often in a 10-2 rout of the Vikings, but had a bit tougher time against Stevensville, winning 2-0.
After a bit of a slow start this season, the Wildcats are finishing plays.
The Cats showed their depth, with several different players scoring against the Vikings. Max Everett had a couple of goals, Ethan Austin had two, as did Sundberg.
Against Stevi, Sundberg opened the game with a goal at the 6 minute mark. Golan would add an insurance goal at the 45-minute mark.
The Cats face Polson on the road next Tuesday.
The Cats and Bulldogs will have a rematch on Oct. 2 in Whitefish.
Columbia Falls 1 1 — 2
Stevensville 0 0 — 0
CF — Findley Sundberg (Kai Golan) 6:00
CF — Golan 45:00
Shots — CF 20, Stevi 9. Goalie saves — CF 6 (Bryce Dunham), Stevi 6 (Camden Johnson). Corner kicks — CF 5, Stevi 3. Fouls — CF 8, Stevi 4. Cards — Stevi 1.
Corvallis 5, Bigfork 0
Bigfork 0 2 — 2
Columbia Falls 5 5 — 10
CF — Max Everett (Ethan Austin) 4:00 CF — Adam Schrader 21:00 CF — Austin (Dale Blickhan) 23:00 CF — Everett (Josiah Kilman) 24:00 CF — Findley Sundberg (Austin) 27:00 CF — Kai Golan (Blickhan) 44:00 CF — Austin (Sundberg) 51:00 CF — Sundberg (Blickhan) 61:00 CF — Kilman 63:00 B — Asa Barrett 66:00 B — Levi Peterson (Landon Byerman) 69:00 CF — Blickhan (Sundberg) 73:00 Shots on goal — Bigfork 7, CF 15. Goalie saves — Bigfork 5 (Caden Riedesiel), CF 1 (Bryce Dunham). Corner kicks — Bigfork 3, CF 8. Fouls — Bigfork 3, CF 7. Cards — none.
Whitefish 2 2 — 4
Columbia Falls 1 0 — 1
WF — Gabe Menicke (Charlie Hyatt) 27:00
CF — Findley Sundberg (Walt Nichols) 29:00
WF — Chase Sabin 30:00
WF — Sabin (Aaron Dicks) 76:00
WF — Hyatt (Dicks) 79:00
Shots — Whitefish 10, CF 9. Goalie saves — Whitefish 6 (Will Peppmeier), CF 8 (Bryce Dunham). Corner kicks — Whitefish 6, CF 4. Fouls — Whitefish 13, CF 13. Cards — Whitefish 1.