Whitefish boys soccer hungry for another postseason run

With several state championship trophies, the expectations for the Whitefish Boys Soccer team are pretty lofty.

This year they’re coming off an unfamiliar feeling – disappointment after falling to Park High School in the Class A State semifinals last season – but heading into 2023, the Bulldogs once again look like they’re going to be a power on the pitch.

“We’re past it,” Whitefish Head Coach John Lacey said of the semifinals. “It was a long bus ride home from Livingston, and it was a feeling of being unlucky as we had a lot of shots go off the goalposts there. This group of seniors is hungry, knowing this is their last opportunity, and they are driven to do well. In general, we understand with the history of this program, our season is pretty defined by what happens in October.”

Whitefish has 11 seniors coming back, including All-State Midfielder Ryder Elliott and All-State Forward Collin Lyman. There are also several all-conference players to fill out the roster as well.

“Many of these guys play year-round with club soccer,” Lacey said. “They’re not playing just locally but competing around the state and regionally.”

Lacey said Whitefish will continue the fast-paced, intentional passing style the Bulldogs have used in the past. With 48 players currently in the program, Lacey said they’ll be working with younger players as well to develop the roster for the future as well.

“Goals win games, obviously, so we want to play fast,” Lacey said. “It should be pretty fun, and we will play a lot of guys out there.”

He also said that the players have been in the program for years and understand the system.

“I think a part of it is the boys’ commitment to the program,” Lacey said. “They feel like they are part of a legacy, and they have their opportunity to be special to put their own mark on it. It’s a process, and they look forward to that.”

Whitefish is used to the pressure and excitement that comes with a playoff environment, and Lacey added that they’re lucky to be playing in the Northwestern A Conference. Columbia Falls beat the Bulldogs twice last year, but the Wildcats did graduate a significant amount of seniors from that squad, while Whitefish had just four seniors last year.

“There is a lot of good soccer being played in our conference,” Lacey said. “There are always good games in league play that prepare us, and someone from the north always seems to be there at the end of the season.”

With Whitefish’s string of success in the Class A ranks, the Bulldogs aim to be one of those northern teams standing at the end after an exciting season of soccer.

The team opens the season on Saturday in Frenchtown. Game time is 1 p.m.