Bulldogs blank Wildcats 4-0

A hot second half lifted the Bulldogs over Columbia Falls in a 4-0 win last week.

Both teams remained scoreless after the first half in the rivalry match, but Xander Burger found the net seven minutes into the second half to put Whitefish on the board.

Casey Schneider netted a pair of goals and Sam Menicke scored the fourth goal in the win.

The Bulldogs had 10 shots on goal compared to the Wildcats’ nine. Whitefish also had a 5-1 edge in corner kicks.

Colter Upton had six saves for Whitefish.

Head coach John Lacey said he was impressed with the Wildcats’ defense.

“Columbia Falls came out committed to defend, and they made things very challenging. Their effort was outstanding. Their keeper had an excellent first half, denying a number of good chances by our guys,” Lacey said. “We needed a little bit of a boost and a reminder to be patient in the front at halftime.”

Whitefish hosted Libby on Tuesday after presstime, part of the high school’s homecoming week. On Saturday they’ll host Polson at 10 a.m. at Smith Fields.

Lacey said Polson is going to be a big test for his team this weekend.

“They had our number twice last year, and they’re sitting with the same 6-0 record right now. That’s obviously a big game for us. We just need to continue to emphasize our game. When we play well, it’s about us. It doesn’t matter what the other team does if we play well,” he said.

“Columbia Falls was a good test. That game is going to help us a lot. Going into halftime 0-0 was a new thing for us.”

Whitefish 0 4 — 4

Columbia Falls 0 0 — 0

W — Xander Burger, 47:00

W — Casey Schneider (Brandon Mendoza), 55:00

W — Sam Menicke (Ian Lacey), 67:00

W — Schneider (William Hyatt), 68:00

Shots on goal — Whitefish 10, Columbia Falls 9; Corner kicks — Whitefish 5, Columbia Falls 1; Keeper saves — Whitefish 6 (Colter Upton), Columbia Falls 13 (Story Stemborski); Fouls — Whitefish 10, Columbia Falls 4; Cards — None.