Last-minute goal sends Bulldogs into soccer championship

The Whitefish boys soccer team advanced to Class A finals with a 4-3 win over the Stevensville Yellowjackets on Saturday with a dramatic game-winning goal from Rowan Perkins in the 88th minute.

It was an incredible game with a finish that even Whitefish Head Coach Eric Sawtelle had trouble describing.

“I am so proud of the heart and determination our boys showed today,” Sawtelle said. “They simply would not be denied and did not stop until the final whistle.” 

Whitefish, the defending Class A state champion, will travel to top-rated Billings Central for a title rematch on Saturday. The Bulldogs defeated Billings Central 1-0 in 2023 to claim the school’s 10th Class A trophy. 

The Bulldogs were off for much of the semifinal game at Stevensville, and although they had opportunities early on, they had trouble cashing them in. Stevensville’s Silas Seibert scored first and Whitefish’s Kyler Jonson tied it up before halftime. 

“Credit to Stevensville who gave everything they had and put up an incredible fight,” Sawtelle said. “They made it very difficult on our midfield and both sides had a hard time finding a passing rhythm to establish possession.” 

Sawtelle said Whitefish junior Henry Barbieri added a needed spark in the 25th minute with impressive energy and runs through the inner channels. He was fouled in the box and won a penalty that was calmly finished by midfielder Kyler Jonson. 

“Kyler put us up in the 59th minute through impossibly intricate dribbling in a sea of defenders on the endline and threaded the needle to put the ball in the side netting,” Sawtelle said.  

Yellowjacket David Beames received a cross near the penalty spot and put it away. He scored again from a tight angle just two minutes later. 

“Our boys responded by turning it up a notch and we committed more players higher up on the pitch,” Sawtelle said. “Henry Barbieri once again found the moment to pounce on a through ball from Griffin Gunlikson, as he showed pure passion and desire to win the ball between the two center backs and oncoming goalie to tie the game in extra time.” 

Sawtelle said the team was riding the momentum of the game’s emotional rollercoaster. 

"In the last 30 seconds of injury time Rowan Perkins scored the goal of the season with a 40-yard banger that any professional would dream of hitting,” Sawtelle said. “It was an incredible finish to a physically and emotionally draining game.” 

The Bulldogs travel to Billings Central in the Class A final on Saturday, Nov. 2, in Billings. Billings Central topped Columbia Falls 1-0 to reach the title game. 

The Rams topped Whitefish in a non-conference match at the beginning of this season. 

Whitefish v Stevensville, Oct. 26 

Whitefish    1    3    -    4 

Stevensville    1    2    -    3 

S — Silas Seibert (Anton Ptok)  

W — Kyler Jonson PK 30:00 

W — Jonson 59:00 

S — David Beames 60:00 

S — Beames 62:00 

W — Henry Barbieri (Griffin Gunlikson) 86:00 

W — Rowan Perkins (Wyatt Carlson) 88:00 

Fouls: Whitefish 11, Stevensville 11. Corners: Whitefish 8, Stevensville 4. Shots: Whitefish 10, Stevensville 9.