Bulldogs earn season’s first clean sheet

Whitefish scored three goals in the first half and three in the second to top Libby 6-0 on Thursday at Smith Fields. 

“We are starting to show signs of a more cohesive and organized unit,” Whitefish boys soccer Head Coach Eric Sawtelle said. “We still have a lot of work to do, but this group continues to take positive steps forward each week.” 

Sawtelle said he was pleased with the collective effort in all areas of the pitch. 

“With the ball, we were more patient and there were some very nice passages of play in which five to six passes led to scoring opportunities,” Sawtelle said. “Our midfield again played very well and nice goals were finished by Logan Bingham, Kyler Jonson, Griffin Gunlikson and Preston McPherson.” 

Gunlikson opened the scoring in the fifth minute on an assist by Jonson. Just one minute later, the Bulldogs struck again when Elijah Adams-Griffin served the ball to McPherson, who scored. 

Bingham scored once at the end of the first half and again at the start of the second. Jonson scored off a McPherson assist, and Henri Barbieri earned and scored a penalty kick late to ice the cake. 

The Whitefish defense was just as impressive as the offense as they kept the Loggers from scoring. 

“Elija Adams-Griffin did a fantastic job leading the defensive line and played a big role in keeping our first clean sheet of the season,” Sawtelle said. “Wyatt Carlson also played really well in the holding midfield role and worked well with Rowan Perkins in switching the field of play and maintaining possession.” 

The Bulldogs’ homecoming game against Bigfork is at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at Smith 

Fields. 

Sept. 26 Libby at Whitefish 

Shots: Whitefish 9, Libby 1. Fouls: Whitefish 3, Libby 4. 

    Senior midfielder Reid Alexander moves for the ball, step for step with a Libby defender. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)