Boys soccer unlucky in close loss

Whitefish boys soccer is looking to ramp up its scoring chances after a pair of tough losses last weekend.

The Dogs dropped a close defensive battle 1-0 with Livingston on Saturday.

The Rangers’ Stephen Newhouse scored the game’s lone goal in the 55th minute.

“We were a little unlucky and hit the crossbar a few times,” Whitefish coach John Lacey said. “On another day, those probably go in.”

The next day Whitefish was outmuscled by the defending state champs from Belgrade in a 5-0 loss. The Panthers came in with fresh legs after a forfeit with Bigfork on Friday.

“By the second half we were undermanned physically,” Lacey said.

He credited goalkeeper Marty Anderson for his solid play in the net.

Lacey says the Dogs have faced a barrage of talented soccer teams in the past two weeks while dealing with some key injuries.

Xander Burger is expected to return to the lineup this week and bring a needed offensive spark.

“We’ve been up against some very good teams the last few weeks, and we’ve used that as an opportunity to get more sound on defense,” Lacey said. “Now we have to start scoring some goals. We’re turning our attention there.”

Whitefish hosts Polson on Saturday at 5 p.m. for a Homecoming game at Memorial Field.

Livingston 0 1 — 1

Whitefish  0  0  — 0

L—Stephen Newhouse, 55:00

Shots on Goal — Livingston 10, Whitefish 8; Goalie saves — Livingston 7, Whitefish 8; Corner kicks — Livingston 1, Whitefish 4. Fouls — Livingston 15, Whitefish 7; Cards — Whitefish, 1 yellow.

Belgrade 2 3 — 5

Whitefish 0 0 — 0

B — Zack Smith, 11:00

B — Garrett Turner, 17:00

B — Jordan Schlaugh, 57:00

B — Kaden Wyatt, 71:00

B — Javan Chisholm, 74:00

Shots on goal — Belgrade 19, Whitefish 1; Goalie saves — Belgrade 1 (Clay Bost), Whitefish 15 (Marty Anderson); Corner kicks — Belgrade 12, Whitefish 0; Fouls — Belgrade 8, Whitefish 2; Cards — None.