'Dogs find redemption against Central
For a game that means nothing come playoff time, Whitefish's 2-0 win over Billings Central Friday was vastly significant to the seniors who finally shook a pesky monkey off their backs.
The Bulldog soccer team had lost five consecutive games to the Rams, including the state Class A championship game last season.
"Mentally, it's a nice hurdle to get over," Whitefish coach O'Brien Byrd said. "I felt like we needed to win that game."
Sam Donaldson led the offensive charge for the 'Dogs, finding the net twice in the second half. The sophomore's first goal in the 56th minute was to the left side of the net. He followed that in the 79th minute with a beautiful strike from the top of the penalty box in a one-on-one with Billing's keeper.
"He's a player that we're starting to count on for goals," Byrd said. "He's starting to show confidence and that he believes in his skills."
Whitefish's defense held Billings scoreless for the game.
"It was our first shutout and I'm excited about that," Byrd said. "Billings is a younger squad this year and is a team that on paper looks like we should beat. We're fortunate to get that win. It was a little too close, closer than it should have been. But, we're happy to get the win."
On Saturday, the 'Dogs host a talented team from Laurel and found themselves up 2-1 at halftime after giving up an early goal. Then Whitefish fell apart.
"We started the game focused and playing fairly well," Byrd said. "We had the lead and I was pleased to see we could battle back and take control of the game. Then they scored five goals on us."
Laurel came out of the half with four goals in 20 minutes. They added their sixth at the 75th minute while holding Whitefish scoreless in the half.
"We basically fell apart," Byrd said. "They're a good strong team, but we rolled over for them. It's our own self-destruction. We closed up shop early, right about half time."
Byrd chalks up the loss to inexperience and a lack of confidence among the underclassmen, but he refuses to let them use that as an excuse. The roster features eight freshman and sophomores, including five starters.
"It's tough to find excuses for them because they're so talented," Byrd said. "We're good right now, and that's the tough part to swallow. Our young guys are good, but they need to start believing that for us to have success this year. They have to gain confidence they can hit that cross, finish that shot, make that save."
The other part, he said, came down to the team's veterans and coaches.
"How can we get the best out of these younger guys," he said. "The seniors can't say, 'There's always next year.'"
Whitefish will make some tactical changes for the upcoming showdown with conference foe Bigfork on Thursday. Joseph Perry is out this week this with tendonitis in his knee, forcing Taylor Thompson to move to center back from midfield.
"We have to shore things up defensively," Byrd said. "We need to make sure we win the ball in our half of the field."
Jack Steele will move to the midfield to help control the ball, Byrd said.
Whitefish 2, Billings Cnt. 0
Whitefish — 1, Sam Donaldson 56:00; 2, Donaldson, 79:00. Goalie: Thomas Clark, 4 saves. Shots: 7.
Whitefish 2, Laurel 6
Whitefish — Taylor Thompson (corner kick) 30:00, Jack Steele 39:00, Sam Donaldson 72:00, Donaldson 76:00. Shots: 14. Goalie: Thomas Clark, 9 saves.
Halftime — Whitefish 2, Laurel 1.