The Whitefish High School soccer teams played Park High School from Livingston on Friday and kept the ball rolling on Saturday when they played Billings Central at Smith Fields.

The Whitefish girls outplayed Park, scored a brace in the first half, and won 2-0. Atley Bingham scored with an assist by Anna Boysen just 15 minutes into the game, and Mahalia Horton put one in the net in the 39th minute. 

Whitefish Head Coach Kelly Ordway said the Lady Bulldogs had a strong start against tough competition to open the season. 

"Senior captain Anna Boysen utilized her track polished speed down the right side before setting a pass central to sophomore Atley Bingham, who easily slotted the ball in the lower corner for the first goal of the season,” Ordway said. “Just minutes before the halftime whistle, senior captain Delila Vine took a shot that deflected with senior forward Mahalia Horton following up with the finish to bring the score to 2-0 at half.”  

Park applied more pressure in the second half, which sophomore defender Eleanor Parsons and junior captain Sage Ordway helped shut down. 

"Vine and Barrett Clark held down central defense with junior Grace Sliman not skipping a beat on her return from an ACL injury last season," Ordway added. "Sophomore Ayla Mosher was playing with tenacity and intelligence on the other side." 

Junior Ginger Bergland earned her first shut out of the season with an excellent game in goal for the Lady Bulldogs. 

Park edged out the boys 1-0, despite Whitefish having five shots on goal to Park's four. 

Whitefish Head Coach Eric Sawtelle said Friday's match was not the way his team wanted to start the season. 

"You could tell the team needs time playing together," he said. "We started off the game sloppy in possession and wasteful when we managed to generate opportunities." 

The second half saw improvement in the Bulldogs' rhythm in possession.  

The Ranger's goalkeeper saved a Bulldog penalty kick midway through the second half, firing up the guest's defense. 

"We need to get more consistent and composed both offensively and defensively, and more ruthless and clinical in front of the goal," Sawtelle said. "It's early days, we have a lot to work on, but I have no doubt the boys will bounce back and use the game as an important lesson to build on moving forward." 

THE WHITEFISH GIRLS played a tight match against Billings Central Saturday. The Rams won, 2-1, with Emerson Dull scoring the brace for Billings and Neva Sliman putting the Bulldogs on the board with a successful penalty kick in the 56th minute. 

While Whitefish often dominated possession, it was tough to come back after Billings scored its second goal.  

Ordway said Barrett Clark and Sage Ordway in the center back positions made the Whitefish defense challenging to penetrate. 

"Jenna Kimble stood out on the wing by driving the attack and connecting with her teammates," Ordway said. "Senior captain Delila Vine hit a beautiful shot in the last few minutes that [the Rams' keeper] just barely tipped over to keep it out of the goal. 

"Whitefish Lady Dawgs played with intelligence, integrity and grit, showing that they can contend with any team in their class," Ordway added. 

The boys rallied from Friday's game to play a tough Billings Central team Saturday which ended in a 1-1 tie. 

"It's always going to be a battle and it's exactly the kind of game we love," Sawtelle said. "We are proud of the way our players responded after our disappointing first match — it's the reaction we were hoping to see." 

"We know we have a lot of work to do, but today our boys showed they are ready for the challenge and ready to compete with anyone," he added. 

In the 61st minute, Graysen Rembaugh sprinted onto a nice through ball by Martin Christiansen. Rembaugh spotted senior midfielder Chance Isles making a gut busting far post run and delivered a perfect cross. Isles scored with a header after his 40-yard sprint. 

The Bulldogs enjoyed a lead for only about 20 minutes, as the Rams answered with a goal in the 84th minute. 

Sawtelle said these early season games provide a chance to build a solid foundation and learn from the experience.  He said the seniors on the team each stepped up and rose to the occasion, and every player contributed to a solid collective effort. 

"Quinn Powers and Tristan Irwin were solid as center backs. Outside backs Will Dohmen and Tyler Larkin were energetic going forward and strong defensively," Sawtelle said. "Luca Duffy and Max Brown put in a stout and tireless shift in the upper end of the pitch alongside junior Graysen Rembaugh and sophomores Keller Sawtelle and Solas Noftsinger." 

"Our senior wingers Chance Isles, Luke Healy and Martin Christiansen gave us critical width, energy and movement up and down the wings," he added. 

Junior goalkeeper Ben Nelson had five saves, and Sawtelle said he is "turning into a commanding and dominant presence between the sticks." 

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 defender Barrett Clark passes the ball away from danger in the Billings Central game Saturday. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Whitefish sophomore Ayla Mosher pressures the Billings Central keeper Saturday at Smith Fields. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Bulldog senior Max Brown traps the ball under pressure on Friday's game with Park at Smith Fields. (Julie Engler/WHitefish PIlot)
  

    Bulldog Tyler Larkin keeps possession against a Park opponent in Friday's game at Smith Fields. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Bulldog junior Graysen Rembaugh leaps for a header with a Park defender during Friday's game at Smith Fields. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)