Dogs take down teams from east, now 5-0
The Bulldogs upped the win streak to 5-0 after wins over Laurel and Billings Central this weekend.
On Friday Whitefish got out to an early 3-0 lead with goals from Casey Schneider, Xander Burger and Sam Menicke, all in the first half.
Five minutes into the second half, Joseph Houston knocked in another goal to push the Dogs’ lead up to 4-0.
Laurel came roaring back, however, scoring three straight goals to bring the lead down to just one.
Whitefish held on for the close win.
The Bulldogs’ keeper Colter Upton had four saves on four shots on goal. Whitefish netted four of its nine shots on goal.
The following day the Dogs got out to a 4-0 lead once more, this time against Billings Central, but didn’t give an inch on defense.
Goals came from Schneider (2), Burger and Chase Sabin in the 4-0 win.
Upton had four saves in that game as well.
Head coach John Lacey said the comeback attempt by Laurel was a bit of a wake up call for his team.
“The Laurel game is going to serve us a good lesson. Letting them in with three goals is not something anyone foresaw, after building that 4-0 lead,” he said.
However, as a whole he’s happy with how his team is playing early on this season.
“I think we continue to play a strong possession game. We’ve become much more patient in our attack, which I think has really helped us get goals. Everyone knows goals wins games, and that’s been really important to us,” he said.
This week Whitefish battled Columbia Falls Tuesday night after presstime to open up the Northwest A Conference schedule.
The Wildcats are 1-3 so far this season.
“Now that we’re into conference play, the games do take on more significance,” Lacey said before Tuesday’s game. “We really want to be able to prepare for everyone’s best shot. Columbia Falls is going to be excited to host us tomorrow under the lights, so we’re going to need a strong showing there. I know they’re going to play hard. They’ve got a very committed defense, so I expect it’s going to be a challenge to score goals.”
Laurel 0 3 — 3
Whitefish 3 1 — 4
W — Casey Schneider (Ian Lacey), 14:00
W — Xander Burger (Schneider), 31:00
W — Sam Menicke, pk, 36:00
W — Joseph Houston (Riley Arendt), 45:00
L — Bryce Adkins, pk, 59:00
L — Ethan Meccage, pk, 62:00
L — Mathew Mosbey (Colter Given), 75:00
Shots on goal — Laurel 4, Whitefish 9; Corner kicks — Laurel 0, Whitefish 5; Keeper saves — Laurel 4 (NA), Whitefish 4 (Colter Upton); Fouls — Laurel 8, Whitefish 6; Cards — Laurel, 2 yellow
Billings Central 0 0 — 0
Whitefish 2 2 — 4
W – Casey Schneider (Ian Lacey), 6:00
W – Schneider (Xander Burger), 35:00
W – Chase Sabin (Gabe Menicke), 46:00
W – Burger, (59:00)
Shots on goal – Central 4, Whitefish 16; Corner kicks – Central 0, Whitefish 4; Keeper saves – Central 11 (Michael Horrell), Whitefish 4 (Colter Upton); Fouls – Central 3, Whitefish 4; Cards – Central, 1 yellow.