Benedict named Whitefish girls soccer coach

The Whitefish girls soccer team will enter the 2015 season with a familiar face at the helm.

Roland Benedict, 25, has been selected as the new head coach of the Lady Bulldogs. Benedict was an assistant coach for the team last season. He replaces Wendy Farrens who resigned this winter after four seasons with Whitefish.

Benedict’s familiarity with the program made him a natural selection for the job, said Whitefish athletic director Aric Harris.

“We wanted a seamless transition for the program,” Harris said. “It’s in a great state right now.”

The Lady Bulldogs made the State A semifinal match last season and played in the State A title game in 2013.

Harris said he was impressed with Benedict’s energy and excitement for the game during the interview process.

“He’s been really involved in the soccer community in Whitefish and is passionate about the program,” he said. “He’ll be a great fit for us.”

Born Los Angeles, Benedict grew up playing soccer in the Flathead. He graduated from Bigfork High School where he earned all-state recognition during his prep soccer career. He also played basketball and was a standout athlete on the Viking’s track and field team.

Following graduation, he went on to play professional soccer overseas for five years, with stints in Belgium and England.

Benedict returned to the Flathead in 2012 and joined the Whitefish boys soccer team as an assistant under head coach O’Brien Byrd. The next season he moved to the Whitefish girls team as an assistant where he instantly clicked with the team.

Benedict says it’s his goal to get the most out of his players next season.

“There is a special group of young talent on the team now,” he said. “I want to maximize them as soccer players on the field —  then we’ll have a lot of success as a team.”

He met with the team last week and told them to expect a few changes in the upcoming season.

“The girls think they know me, but they don’t know me as a head coach,” he said.

Benedict is a co-owner of Legend Soccer Co., which makes shinguards from bamboo and other soccer apparel.

He is captain of the Flathead Rapids soccer team and helps coach the Rapids womens team.