It took some time for the Bulldog soccer team to settle into their opening game of the season, but once they did the scoring didn’t stop until the final minute of play.

Whitefish blew out the Frenchtown Broncs 9-1 on Saturday, led by senior captain Gabe Menicke’s four goals.

“It was a good first day, we got a lot of boys time,” Bulldog head coach John Lacey said. “We like to score goals, and nine is good.”

Frenchtown had played earlier in the week and was down with a few injured players including their starting goalkeeper.

Whitefish sophomore Collin Lyman put the Bulldogs on the board first scoring off an assist from Chase Sabin in the 19th minute. Then in a matter of just over 10 minutes of play, Menicke racked up a hat trick with three goals straight just before halftime.

Whitefish senior goalkeeper Will Peppmeier kept the ball out of the Whitefish net throughout the first half, including a stunning save on a penalty kick from Frenchtown. Peppmeier has been on the team for four years and finally got to start and play in every game last season. He earned all-conference honors for his performance — he only allowed five goals total throughout the 2020 season — and is back starting in goal for the Bulldogs this year as a captain.

“Those are big moments — he’s not supposed to save those, so when he does… those are great things for the team,” Lacey said. “He read it great and made a great play. In general Will, he’s one of our captains this year, he has grown into the moments that we expect our seniors to show.”

“At some point this year we are going to need our keeper to do the kinds of things that we know Will can, and that penalty kick save was a good indication of that,” he added.

In the second half, the Bulldogs starters had increased rest time as many players throughout the roster got time on the field.

Menicke scored again in the 47th minute, but Frenchtown’s Tyler DiMaggio snuck one by Whitefish's Peppmeier in the 49th minute. Lyman scored again off an assist from Darby McCarthy in the 52nd minute, and the goals kept coming for Whitefish — Joe Brandt, Townsend Reed and Lou Kofal all tallied up the second-half goals. Sabin led the team with three assists.

“Our buildup until the final touch was strong… but we left a lot of goals out there,” Lacey said. “For now, week one, we can feel good about the ones that did go in and certainly be pleased with the fact that we were creating the chances.”

Whitefish will play on the road this week, facing Hamilton on Friday at 6 p.m. and Corvallis on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Frenchtown 0 1 — 1

Whitefish 4 5 — 9

WF — Collin Lyman (Chase Sabin) 19:00

WF — Gabe Menicke (Darby McCarthy) 28:00

WF — Menicke (Sabin) 31:00

WF — Menicke (Charlie Hyatt) 39:00

WF — Menicke 47:00

FT — Tyler DiMaggio 49:00

WF — Lyman (McCarthy) 52:00

WF — Joe Brandt (Sabin) 62:00

WF — Townsend Reed (Brandt) 78:00

WF — Lou Kofal (Preston McPherson) 80:00

Shots on goal — Frenchtown 6, Whitefish 24. Goalie saves — Frenchtown 15, Whitefish 5 (Will Peppmeier, Ethan Schott). Corner kicks — Frenchtown 1, Whitefish 10. Fouls — Frenchtown 3, Whitefish 11. Cards — Frenchtown 1.