The Whitefish boys and girls soccer teams are conference champions, each team going undefeated in league play. They earned the right to host the first round of the playoffs next Saturday at Smith Fields.

Whitefish hosted Bigfork and Libby last week. The boys tied the Vikings, 1-1, and were victorious against the Loggers, 1-0. The girls tallied wins against the Valkyries, 5-1, and Loggers, 10-0. 

Bigfork came on strong in the first half and were given room to make passes, but the teams were scoreless at halftime. 

“We started the game with good possession but were too passive defensively,” Whitefish Head Coach Eric Sawtelle said. “We did not play with the energy needed to cause them too many defensive problems, but we were able to generate some chances.”   

Sawtelle noted the team needs to work on making better decisions in the final third of the field. 

Whitefish senior midfielder Luca Duffy scored early in the second half and the Vikings answered with a goal in the 52nd minute. 

“Bigfork is a good team,” Sawtelle said. “They were organized defensively and difficult to break down.” 

The Bulldogs started the second half energized. They played with purpose and intensity and created good opportunities. Whitefish outshot Bigfork, 12-5. 

“High intensity pressing from Max Brown gave us the ball in the penalty box and Luca Duffy was fouled and earned a penalty kick that he finished confidently,” he said. “Less than 10 minutes later an uncharacteristic defensive lapse left a Bigfork player open on a corner kick, and he headed it home to tie up the game.” 

Although Whitefish pushed hard for another goal, they were unable to find it. 

“Overall, I was happy with the effort; it gave us plenty to think about and work on as we start to look ahead to playoffs. Most importantly the result was enough to clinch the conference, which is a big achievement, and we are so proud of the boys.”    

Although the Whitefish girls were up 4-1 at halftime, the Valkyries tested the Lady Dogs with their speed and good passing. 

Just 45 seconds into the game, junior captain Sage Ordway slotted a through ball to senior captain Anna Boysen who hit a banger into the net. Bigfork answered three minutes later with a goal from a corner kick. 

Whitefish sophomore Atley Bingham took two minutes to score two goals, with assists from Millie Meyer and Ordway.

Sophomore Barrett Clark sent a handspring throw in to Ordway who finished. Jenna Kimble wrapped up the scoring with a solid shot off a deflection. 

“Whitefish moved possession around gracefully, maintained calm composure defensively and had great showings from their substitutions including senior Mahalia Horton and sophomore Claire Graham,” Whitefish Head Coach Kelly Ordway said. 

SATURDAY WAS Senior Day as Whitefish hosted Libby. 

Whitefish senior Chance Isles scored in the sixth minute off an assist from senior Duffy. That proved to be the only goal of the game and sealed Whitefish’s undefeated, first place standing in their conference. 

The Libby keeper could only push away a strong shot from Duffy and Isles was there to put the biscuit in the basket. 

“We have ten amazing seniors in our program, and it was fantastic to see them all on the pitch together,” Sawtelle said. “After a couple of intense, physical games, we did not play with the intensity we normally do.” 

Again, the coach mentioned the team’s need to hone its decision-making skills in the final third.   

“We were happy to get the clean sheet and go undefeated in our conference,” Sawtelle said. “We are very proud of all of our boys. Now it's playoff time.”  

Anna Boysen, Mahalia Horton, Marlis Nargi and Delila Vine were honored at the Senior Day game against Libby on Saturday. 

It took Whitefish sophomore phenom Bingham about seven minutes to add a hat trick to her collection of goals for the season. Junior forward Kimble honed her assist skills, notching four on the day, while Ordway continued her solid ways, scoring twice and assisting thrice. 

The Whitefish girls had a conference record of 9-0-1 and an overall record of 12-1-1, with nine shutouts. The team scored 81 goals, while conceding only seven. 

Whitefish girls and boys soccer host the conference quarterfinals at Smith Fields next Saturday Oct. 17. The boys play Lockwood at 11 a.m. and the girls play Park at 1 p.m. 

Reporter Julie Engler can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support.

    Whitefish senior Delila Vine sribbled past two Bigfork defenders last week. (Julie Engler/Whitefish PIlot)
  

    Whitefish keeper Ginger Bergland made a leaping save against Bigfork last week. (Julie Engler/Whitefish PIlot)
  

    The Bigfork keeper skies for a save at Smith Fields last week, but was unable to haul it down. but the Dogs couldn't corrall the rebound. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Whitefish midfielder Millie Meyer looks downfield during the Bigfork game last week. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Bulldog midfielder Max Brown sticks to his mark last week. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Whitefish midfielder Keller Sawtelle shows for the ball during the game against Bigfork last week. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)