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.