Whitefish’s boys soccer team took its first loss of the season last week, falling 1-2 to the Bigfork Vikings. 

Bigfork scored first in the 17th minute. Jack Oehlerich netted one for Whitefish 17 minutes later with an assist from Kyler Jonson, and the Vikings put another in the net before halftime. 

Whitefish Head Coach Eric Sawtelle said it was not the team’s best performance. 

“Credit to Bigfork,” he said. “They showed up ready to play and wanted it more than us in the first half.” 

Although the stats reflect Bulldog dominance in the game, with four corner kicks and eight shots on goal versus Bigfork’s three on frame, the Bulldogs struggled to connect passes and find space offensively. The defense, too, found it difficult to identify and address threats from the Vikings early. 

“Our defense improved as they settled into the first half and offensively, we created more chances, but we were ultimately unable to finish the game on top,” Sawtelle said. “All teams need to learn lessons, and this was a game filled with important lessons as we get to the final stretch of the season.  

“I have no doubt the boys will use this as an opportunity to improve and will look quite different when we step out onto the pitch next week,” he added. 

The Lady Bulldogs lost 1-0 against the Valkyries in an evenly matched and physical game. Whitefish had seven shots on goal compared to Bigfork’s five, and the sole goal was scored in the 64th minute. 

Whitefish Head Coach Kelly Ordway described the match as a battle. 

“Excellent distribution from Neva Sliman, Adelle Flynn and Anna Guzman,” Ordway noted. “Amazing composure and game intelligence from our entire backline: Sage Ordway, Barrett Clark, Hayley Reardon, Ayla Mosher. 

“Millie Meyer brought great tenacity up top, and Jackie Solem showed all out in the goal,” she added. 

The Whitefish teams play Columbia Falls at Smith Fields on Tuesday, Oct. 7 and the last regular season game is against Thompson Falls on Thursday, Oct. 9.