Bulldogs look to defend state titles
By DAVID ERICKSON
Whitefish Pilot
The bar has been set. The Whitefish Bulldog's boys and girls soccer programs have high expectations going into the 2007-'08 season, considering their achievements last season. Both the boys and girls teams were state champions, and this year the goal is to repeat.
O'Brien Byrd, head coach of the boys team, says he is extremely optimistic about the upcoming season. If the physical condition of his players is any measure, he has good reason to be confident.
"We reported into tryouts in the best shape of any team I've ever coached," he said.
In a game where endurance is king, that bodes well for the Bulldogs. He also said a lot of his boys attended a speed-and-agility camp over the summer, and most of the boys competed in a local men's league.
After winning the state title last season, however, Byrd has no illusions that other programs across the state aren't gunning for them.
"Obviously, coming off an undefeated season, we'll have a big target on our backs," he said.
His team went 15-0 last year, and to get that many wins this year won't come easily. When a team's on top, there's only one way to go, and Byrd is working hard to make sure his team takes nothing for granted.
"We're having an extra practice today," he said on Friday afternoon.
The team is returning eight starters from last year's champions. Byrd said the squad is looking pretty deep, except for the goalie position.
"We lost our all-state goalie," said Byrd. "This year, we have two inexperienced JV goalies, and one of those guys is going to have to step up."
Byrd started the season by having his junior-varsity squad scrimmage the varsity team on Thursday.
"Obviously, you know who's going to win that one, but it's good to show the younger guys what they should strive for," Byrd said.
As for the girls team, they will be tested early. Their first match is against the team they had to beat to win state last year, Billings Central, on Aug. 31.
"It's a big re-building year for us," said girls head coach Lini Reading. "But we're excited, we're working super hard. It's an awesome group of kids."
Reading has her work cut out for her this year. After winning the title last year, her team lost 12 seniors, and only five starters from last year's squad are back. However, Reading says she is only a little nervous.
"We have two strong seniors, Alissa LaChance and Caitlyn Sleichter, and we have one of the most competitive junior classes I've ever coached."
Reading said she's already seen some of the juniors stepping up into leadership roles. She also said that although they are coming off a state title, she doesn't feel any high pressure.
"I don't feel like there's a monkey on our back," she said. "The parity in this league is amazing, so even though we won it last year, a lot of programs around the state are really good. We just need to stay healthy."
So far, there are no significant injuries to the girls squad although, like the boys team, enrollment numbers are down this year.
The girls junior varsity team has been practicing with the varsity team this week, working on technical skills, passing and dribbling.
Reading said she is feeling fortunate about her assistant coaching staff, which consists of former Whitefish High School soccer standouts Linwood Fields, Elizabeth Pitman and Heather Hodges.
"I'm extremely excited to be working with these ladies," Reading said. "They're coming back from successful collegiate careers, and now they're offering their perspective to these girls."
What the young girls team may lack in experience, they hope to make up for in effort this year.
"We don't want any team to outwork us," Reading said.
Both the girls and boys varsity soccer teams go up against Valley Christian in Whitefish this Saturday at 11 a.m. The junior varsity teams play at 1 p.m.
A complete schedule can be picked up at the High School.