Vikings fall to Whitefish in playoff play-in match

A strong start wasn’t enough for the Bigfork boys soccer team Tuesday, as Whitefish’s Kyler Jonson scored all three goals to lift the Bulldogs past the Vikings 3–1 in a Class A state play-in matchup.

Bigfork struck first in the ninth minute when Donovan Stutzman sent a well-placed pass down the sideline to Quinn Kerr, who broke free and buried a shot past the Whitefish goalkeeper to make it 1–0.

Whitefish equalized nine minutes later when Jonson converted off a pass from Jack Oehlerich, slipping through Bigfork’s defense to tie the game at 1–1. The Bulldogs then pulled ahead in the 25th minute after earning a penalty kick, which Jonson converted to give his team a 2–1 advantage.

Jonson completed the hat trick early in the second half, curling a free kick around the Bigfork wall and into the net from just outside the box in the 41st minute.

The Vikings couldn’t find another way past Whitefish keeper Charlie Dow, who finished with four saves. Stutzman also recorded four stops in goal for Bigfork.

The physical contest featured 15 total fouls, four yellow cards, and one red.