Boys soccer opens season on fire

The Whitefish boys soccer team has yet to practice taking shots on goal. They’re entire focus has been on defensive assignments.

So Bulldog head coach O’Brien Byrd was a bit surprised at his team’s prowess for finishing at the net last week after Whitefish tallied 16 goals in two games.

“I assumed they’d be out of synch and it would take them a little while to get into a rhythm,” Byrd said. “I was wrong about that.”

Whitefish posted an 8-2 win on the road over Hamilton on Thursday, then defeated Libby 8-1 in a conference match on Friday at home.

Byrd said the Dogs’ stifling defense led to numerous scoring opportunities in both matches.

“When we win the ball, we’re in a good position and we can go immediately to the goal,” Byrd said.

The scoring was evenly spread in both matches.

Mozi Gerber, Shanoah Montano, Taven Edland, Jared Johnson and Nathan Boone accounted for all of the scoring at Hamilton. Boone tallied three assists and Montano two.

Byrd credited the three captains for getting the team prepared for the opening week.

“They’re absolutely key to the season,” he said. “More so than our captains have been in the past. They’re great examples as players and their leadership is incredible. They’re showing all the qualities good leaders possess.”

Whitefish hosts a tough Belgrade team on Friday at 5 p.m., then matches up with Park High of Livingston at home on Saturday at 10 a.m.

Byrd says Park High looks strong and will challenge the Dogs with their physical style.

Whitefish bounced Park High from the playoffs last fall.

“That’s not a game you’ll want to miss,” Byrd said.

Whitefish 5 3 — 8

Hamilton 0 2 — 2

WHITEFISH — Mozi Gerber (Nathan Boone), 5:00; Shanoah Montano, 8:00; Boone (Taven Edland), 9:00; Montano (Boone), 12:00; Boone (Montano), 27:00; Gerber (Montano), 45:00; Edland (Boone), 48:00; Jared Johnson (Tommy Murphy), 57:00.

HAMILTON — David Feldmann, 59:00, pk; Feldmann (Aldo Martinez), 71:00

Shots on goal — Whitefish 13, Hamilton 5; Corner kicks — Whitefish 4, Hamilton 1; Goalie saves — Whitefish 4 (Sam Benkelman), Hamilton 5 (Riley Della Silva); Fouls — Whitefish 4, Hamilton 6; Cards — None.