Bigfork girls draw with Columbia Falls, boys fall 3-1

The Valkyries earned a hard-fought point while the Vikings came up short Saturday in a Northwest A soccer doubleheader against Columbia Falls.

In the girls’ match, Columbia Falls struck first when Bella Mann scored off a pass from Riley Byrd in the 24th minute. Bigfork responded shortly after halftime as Michaela Anderson buried the equalizer in the 46th minute on an assist from Taite Welch, and the game finished level at 1-1.

Columbia Falls controlled possession, outshooting Bigfork 9-3, but the Valkyries leaned on keeper Irelynd Vigil, who made 10 saves to preserve the draw.

The boys’ side saw Columbia Falls ride a brace from Javien Mata to a 3-1 victory. Mata set up Jackson Scholz for the opener in the 19th minute before scoring twice himself, once before halftime and again just after the break. Ryker McAnally pulled one back for Bigfork in the 67th minute on an assist from Robert Merchant, but the Vikings couldn’t close the gap despite an 11-shot effort.

Bulldogs blank Bigfork 3-0 at Smith Fields

The Whitefish boys soccer team kept its undefeated start rolling Thursday, shutting out Bigfork 3-0 at Smith Fields.

The Bulldogs struck early as Jack Oehlerich buried a 15th-minute goal off an assist from Grayson Rembaugh. Just seven minutes later, Kyler Jonson doubled the advantage when Wyatt Carlson slipped him a pass for the finish.

Bigfork worked to get back into the match, forcing four shots on target, but Whitefish goalkeeper Ben Nelson held firm with four saves. The Bulldogs continued to press and controlled possession, earning seven corner kicks to Bigfork’s one.

The game’s final tally came in the 79th minute when Ben Dow sealed the win with an unassisted strike. Whitefish finished with 14 shots and a balanced offensive effort that kept the Vikings on their heels throughout.

Bigfork keeper Donovan Stutzman turned in a busy performance, stopping seven shots to keep the scoreline manageable.

Dorvall’s brace lifts Whitefish past Bigfork

Senior forward Taylor Dorvall scored twice in the first half to lead the Whitefish Bulldogs to a 2-1 win over Bigfork in Northwest A girls soccer Thursday at Smith Fields.

After lightning delayed kickoff by 40 minutes, Dorvall wasted no time getting Whitefish on the board. Just four minutes in, she finished a cross from Jenna Kimble to put the Bulldogs ahead. Dorvall struck again in the 17th minute, heading in a cross from Neva Sliman to make it 2-0.

Bigfork responded in the second half as Brynn Bagley ripped a shot from the top of the box that glanced off the post and in, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Despite generating six shots, the Valkyries couldn’t find an equalizer against Bulldog keeper Jackie Solem, who matched Bigfork’s Irelynd Vigil with six saves apiece.

    Bigfork gets to the ball first.
 Steve Mitchell   

    One of a number of saves for Bigfork's keeper.
 Steve Mitchell   

    Ouch, this one hurt!
 Steve Mitchell