The big green machine continues to roll through the 2023 season as the Whitefish boys' soccer team improved to 7-0 on the year, defeating Hamilton 4-0 in Class A soccer action on Saturday, September 16, which capped off a week that saw the Bulldogs with three games.

"We have had stretches during the initial parts of our season of good play, but we were far more consistent during these past three games," Whitefish Head Coach John Lacey said.

The Bulldogs have only been scored on once in seven games. Lacey said that the goalkeepers and defenders have been playing well this season.

"That takes a lot of effort to play so much shutout soccer," Lacey said. "Everything is a collective thing, not just a few individual players, and our goalkeepers and defenders have really stood out in our games."

Whitefish had a 2-0 halftime lead thanks to two Ryder Elliot goals just before halftime, one of which was assisted by Elijah Adams-Griffin. After the break, Kyler Jonson found the back of the net in the 48th minute on an assist from Elliott. Twenty minutes later, Jackson Dorvall scored Whitefish's fourth goal on an assist from Townsend Reed.

Whitefish had 12 shots on goal compared to Hamilton's two while having four corner kick opportunities.

"The first part of the season leaves us in a good spot, and we're ready to make the second play-through of conference teams," Lacey said.

Bulldogs Take Down Polson 8-0

Whitefish put up another offensive showcase, downing Northwest A foe Polson 8-0 on Thursday, Sept. 14, at home. The Bulldogs scored six goals in the second half and limited the Pirates to just three shots.

"Being far more consistent during these three games is a positive because they were our strongest opponents so far," Lacey said. "It was also a physical strain playing three games in five days. I was really proud of the boys. That was both a mental and physical strain."

Griffin Gunlikson got Whitefish on the board first in the 8th minute on an assist from Collin Lyman in the eighth minute. Preston McPherson scored on an assist from Ryder Ellition in the 19th minute, and the Bulldogs would go into halftime with a 2-0 lead.

In the 62nd minute, Sam Dow scored on a Lyman assist and then scored again in the 65th minute thanks to a Kyler Jonson pass.

Logan Bingham scored in the 75th minute for Whitefish, and then Jonson scored twice at the end of the game, one assisted by Bingham.

Whitefish had nine corner kick opportunities to Polson's one.

Polson fell to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in league play.

Whitefish wins Cat-Dog rivalry match

Going into their Northwest A soccer matchup against Columbia Falls, Whitefish knew it would be a tough test - not just because they'd be facing a talented opponent but also because the "Cat-Dog" rivalry usually nets some classic games.

Whitefish passed the test, defeating Columbia Falls 4-3 on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

"It was a good win from the standpoint we put together one of our stronger games against a team we're competing against directly in the conference," Lacey said. "At the end of the day, September wins are part of the process for where we want to be in October."

The Bulldogs struck in the first minute of the game, thanks to a Ryder Elliott goal, assisted by Griffin Gunlikson. Columbia Falls, however, would tie things up 1-1 in the 10th minute with a Kai Golan goal.

After the break, Whitefish built a commanding soccer lead off a goal by Preston McPherson in the 46th minute, assisted by Gunlikson. In the 63rd minute, Collin Lyman would score for the Bulldogs thanks to an Elijah Adams-Griffin goal.

Still, Columbia Falls wasn't done, as Golan would score in the 73rd and 75th minute to equalize the game. In true thrilling fashion, Whitefish knocked in the game-winner as Elliot scored his second goal just a minute after Golan's goal and precious minutes before stoppage time.

Whitefish outshot Columbia Falls 12-7, and Whitefish goalie Ethan Bourque notched six saves. It was a foul-filled matchup as Whitefish had 18 fouls, and Columbia Falls had eight falls. Three yellow cards were also handed out.

The Bulldogs avenged two losses to the Wildcats last season.

"We're really grateful that our league provides so many challenges and pushes us to get better," Lacey said. "Columbia Falls isn't going away, they're a strong program, and they'll circle the date when they come play us at Smith Field. We need to be prepared to play our best, and really, in the conference, everyone has the ability to pose a problem."

At Hamilton

WHITEFISH 4, HAMILTON 0

Whitefish - 2 - 2 - 4

Hamilton - 0 - 0 - 0

SCORING SUMMARY

WF — Ryder Elliott (Elijah Adams-Griffin) 36:00

WF — Elliott 39:00

WF — Kyler Jonson (Elliott) 48:00

WF — Jackson Dorvall (Townsend Reed) 68:00

GAME STATS

Shots — WF 12, Hamilton 2. Goalie saves — WF 2 (Ethan Bourque, Charlie Dow), Hamilton 8 (Finn Dufresne). Corner kicks — WF 4, Hamilton 1. Fouls — WF 9, Hamilton 3. Cards — WF 1.

At Whitefish

WHITEFISH 8, POLSON 0

Polson - 0 - 0 - 0

Whitefish - 2 - 6 - 8

SCORING SUMMARY

WF — Griffin Gunlikson (Collin Lyman) 8:00

WF — Preston McPherson (Ryder Elliott) 19:00

WF — Sam Dow (Lyman) 62:00

WF — Dow (Kyler Jonson) 65:00

WF — Logan Bingham 75:00

WF — Jonson 78:00

WF — Jonson (Bingham)

GAME STATS

Shots — Polson 3, WF 8. Goalie saves — Polson 7 (Maddox Bird), WF 3 (Ethan Bourque). Corner kicks — Polson 1, WF 9. Fouls — Polson 9, WF 10. Cards — Polson 1, WF 1.

At Columbia Falls

WHITEFISH 4, COLUMBIA FALLS 3

Whitefish - 1 - 3 - 4

Columbia Falls - 1 - 2 - 3

SCORING SUMMARY

WF — Ryder Elliott (Griffin Gunlikson) 1:00

CF — Kai Golan 10:00

WF — Preston McPherson (Gunlikson) 46:00

WF — Collin Lyman (Elijah Adams-Griffin) 63:00

CF — Golan 73:00

CF — Golan (Jack Harris) 75:00

WF — Elliott 76:00

GAME STATS

Shots — WF 12, CF 7. Goalie saves — WF 6 (Ethan Bourque), CF 8 (Rafe Rusche). Corner kicks — WF 4, CF 2. Fouls — WF 18, CF 8. Cards — WF 2, CF 1.