Bulldogs scrape by the Loggers on the road

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

The Whitefish Bulldogs were lucky to escape Libby with a win on Saturday. German transplant Felix Hermsdorf sealed the deal with a second-half goal to give the 'Dogs a 1-0 win over their Northwestern A foe.

The victory moves Whitefish to 5-0 in conference play and 8-0-1 overall. It was a game that pitted two undefeated-in-conference teams coming into the game, and it was also a rematch of last year's Class A state title game.

"What a wonderful game for the players, for the fans and for the coaches involved," Whitefish head coach O'Brien Byrd said. "It was a feisty conference game. It was kind of a chess match of sorts, with both teams kind of feeling each other out in the first half."

Byrd said both teams were pressing a little bit in the first half with their forwards, but both squads did well with the counterattack.

"Games like that are great to get under your belt going into the post-season," Byrd said. "We have to maintain our focus and concentration."

Byrd said his defense did an outstanding job in holding the shutout.

"In a game like that, when it's really close and both teams get chances, it's key that our defense stay focused. Yes, our offense got that goal to give us the lead, but our defense kept us in the game."

The Bulldogs out shot Libby 16-10.

"We really should have put two more goals in the second half," Byrd said. "The football field was slick from the night before, so I can't wait to play them again on a soccer field and at home."

Whitefish keeper Joe Galbraith had seven stops.

The Bulldogs will have to play Libby again in the last conference game of the season, and it could very well be for the division title, barring any unforeseen stumbles by either team.

The Bulldogs travel to Polson on Friday to take on the Pirates.

Whitefish 0 1 - 1

Libby 0 0 - 0

Whitefish — Felix Hermsdorf (Federico Sau), 55:00

Shots on goal — Whitefish 16, Libby 10

Corner kicks — Whitefish 3, Libby 4

Goalie saves — Whitefish 7 (Joe Galbraith), Libby 15 (Lewis Brossman)

Fouls — Whitefish 16, Libby 7

Cards — None