Wildcats boys soccer started out their conference games with two shutout matches, 6-0 versus Bigfork on the road and 4-0 against Polson at home.

Coach O’Brien Byrd was proud of his team’s ability to adapt and overcome an unorthodox style of play from Bigfork, and was excited to play a competitive team like Polson. Byrd called the Polson game, “the highest level of soccer we’ve obtained all season.”

Keeper Rafe Rusche was credited with 13 saves to keep the shutout against Polson, and Silas Ypma was “flawless” in midfield after starting out as forward this season.

As of Friday, Max Everett lead the state in scoring for all conferences, with Kai Golan in third and Traic Fainter in sixth.

“It’s a slow burn until we get to Tuesday,” Byrd said, referring to the home game against Whitefish set for after presstime. “We have put the building blocks in place to succeed in that game. It will take everything from everybody.”

After facing Whitefish, the Cats will take on Libby on the road Sept. 14 at 6 p.m.