Whitefish Pilot

After posting a shutout in their opener last week, Bulldog boys soccer coach O’Brien Byrd boldly stated that his team had the best defense in the state.

Hhis squad backed up those words on Friday by shutting out Billings Central 3-0 — and for the second time in two games allowing no shots at goalkeeper Joe Galbraith.

Byrd said his offense lacked creativity in that game, but the ‘Dogs responded by pummeling Laurel 11-0 on Saturday. This time, Galbraith finally got his hands on the ball.

“He had six great saves,” said Byrd. “Laurel didn’t have many chances, but the ones they did were good.”

Byrd said Galbraith was a question mark coming into the season, but he has stepped up very well in his role at the team’s most important position.

“So far, the guys in front of me have made my job really easy,” Galbraith said.

He said he was nervous going into Saturday’s game, wondering when the first shot on goal of the season was going to come.

The Bulldog defense, composed of Nik Ortman, Tyler Gardner and Jake Danczyk, played extremely aggressive and fast, according to Byrd.

In Friday’s game, Byrd said, his team kept possession “magnificently” but didn’t create many scoring chances. They did manage three goals, but Byrd said he told his team afterwards that he was looking for more spark on offense.

“They adjusted well,” he said of the 11 goals against Laurel the next day.

Mack Adams, a freshman, even joined the scoring fun with a net in the 79th minute off an assist by Preston Taylor. Ian Hosek had a hat trick with two goals in the first half and one in the second.

Preston Taylor finished with four assists and two goals. Eight different Bulldogs hit the back of the net, and six had assists.

The Bulldogs move to 3-0 overall in Class A boys soccer, although they have yet to play a conference game. That test comes Thursday night as they take on Bigfork at home at 4 p.m.

Whitefish 1 2 - 3

Billings Central 0 0 - 0

Whitefish — Jonas Magstadt (Preston Taylor), 7:00; Ian Hosek (Matt Grindrod), 67:00; Matt Danczyk, 70:00.

Shots on goal — Whitefish 20, Billings Central 0

Corner kicks — Whitefish 8, Billings Central 1

Goalie saves — Whitefish 0 (Joe Galvraigh), Billings Central 20 (Cody Linde)

Fouls — Whitefish 6, Billings Central 6

Cards — Whitefish, yellow

Whitefish 5 6 - 11

Laurel 0 0 - 0

Whitefish - Ian Hosek (renzo Caimi) 5:00, Alex Konopatzke (Patrick Jones 7:00, Matt Grindrod (Preston Taylor, 34:00), Jonas Magstadt (Taylor) 38:00, Hosek (Marc Hotzfield) 39:00, Caimi (Magstadt), 64:00, Hotzfield (Taylor), 65:00, Taylor (Grindrod) 75:00, Taylor (Grindrod) 77:00, Hosek 78:00, Mack Adams (Taylor), 79:00.

Shots on goal - Whitefish 19, Laurel 6

Corner kicks - Whitefish 5, Laurel 2

Goalie saves - Whitefish 13 , Laurel 13

Fouls - Whitefish 11, Laurel 11

Cards - Whitefish, yellow