Bulldogs stay perfect handing CFalls first loss of season

Whitefish’s seniors led the way in the highly anticipated matchup with their cross-valley rival Columbia Falls — and the Bulldogs did it again, defeating the Wildcats 4-1.

The score doesn’t tell the full story, though.

The Cat-Dog match featured the usual tension, competitive play and passionate environment that ensues each time the teams meet.

“Certainly it was our most challenging game of the season,” Bulldog coach John Lacey said. “Those games are great because they bring out our best and I think the boys stepped up.”

Columbia Falls edged Whitefish in possession time in the first half, though the Bulldogs were the first to get on the scoreboard when Gabe Menicke put away a penalty kick in the 27th minute. Two minutes later Columbia Falls was awarded a PK of their own; Wildcat Findley Sundberg was stopped by Whitefish keeper Will Peppmeier on the free kick, but stayed in the play to bury the rebound in the back of the net.

With the score all tied up at 1-1, just one minute later Whitefish senior Chase Sabin had his way on a shot to give the lead back to the Bulldogs.

“There are moments in games that are more important than others and certainly after goals are scored, whether it is in defending or trying to go get another one, the energy’s different — especially in an environment like that where everyone knows the stakes…” Lacey said. “I think it was just everybody doing what you do after you score goals and that’s to respond with a little extra umph.”

After the four-minute span with back-to-back scoring, the game was knotted with both teams working to build up for another score. In the second half, Whitefish turned the tables a little more and dominated possession of the ball.

In the final minutes of the game Sabin hit another shot in off an assist from senior midfielder Aaron Dicks. Then Dicks fed Charlie Hyatt for a goal just before the end of the game. Although the two scores that emphasized Whitefish’s win came late in the game, Lacey says the goals happened because of the pressure they put on the Cats throughout the second half.

“We had been going forward and getting chances… some of that is a testament to the depth that our team has,” Lacey said. “Our ability to be there at the end is in part a reflection of the fact that we can go pretty deep in our lineup.”

Lacey acknowledged the Wildcats played well in the rematch from the State A final last year, and he hopes the two teams get to meet in the playoffs again this season.

“Columbia Falls is a strong team, we could see them more than once again this season and that would be pretty awesome; it was a great environment over there,” Lacey expressed.

Whitefish seniors Menicke, Sabin and Dicks all came in huge on the offensive end as well as the senior-studded backline.

“Seniors scored goals, or were involved in a lot of build up,” Lacey said. “So it was a great response from everybody. They led us not just on the field, but in terms of that confidence to know that we can play a close game and still be in it in the end.”

The win improves Whitefish’s undefeated record to 6-0 this season. The Bulldogs haven’t lost since the 2018 season and are sporting a 48-0-2 undefeated streak.

Whitefish will play Bigfork and Livingston on the road this week. The Bulldogs also have a rematch with CFalls coming up on Oct. 2.

Whitefish 2 2 — 4

Columbia Falls 1 0 — 1

WF — Gabe Menicke (Charlie Hyatt) 27:00

CF — Findley Sundberg (Walt Nichols) 29:00

WF — Chase Sabin 30:00

WF — Sabin (Aaron Dicks) 76:00

WF — Hyatt (Dicks) 79:00

Shots — Whitefish 10, CF 9. Goalie saves — Whitefish 6 (Will Peppmeier), CF 8 (Bryce Dunham). Corner kicks — Whitefish 6, CF 4. Fouls — Whitefish 13, CF 13. Cards — Whitefish 1.