'Dogs looking for more playoff success in boys soccer
It's been an impressive run for the Whitefish High School boys soccer team.
Four straight Northern A championships and back-to-back state titles.
The Bulldogs have not lost in 42 matches.
Whitefish coach O'Brien Byrd hopes his squad can continue to add to two of those totals - titles and match streak - starting Saturday when the Class A playoffs begin. Whitefish entertains Hamilton at 2 p.m. at Smith Fields.
"I'm very happy with where the team is at right now," Byrd said.
"Defensively, we're sound. Our field in transition is extremely quick. All three forwards are in the top 10 in scoring."
Whitefish breezed through Northern A play with an 8-0 mark. The Bulldogs are 11-0-1 overall.
Hamilton finished third in Southern A with a 6-4 mark. Overall, the Broncs are 6-6.
Whitefish and Hamilton have a common opponent this fall in Stevensville. Hamilton lost to the Yellowjackets, while Whitefish beat Stevensville 5-0.
The Bulldogs are difficult to stop because they have so much balance - five players have scored at least six goals. They are: Felix Hermsdorf (14), Mack Adams (11), Travis Adams (8), Jack Steele (6) and Patrick Jones (6).
Steele and Jones both have a team high five assists.
Hermsdorf is fourth in Class A in points. Mack Adams is sixth and Travis Adams 10th.
Whitefish has scored 55 goals for the season.
"In years past, we had one or two guys that have been responsible for most of the scoring," said Bryd, who is in his sixth season.
"This year, we're getting more guys on the scoreboard."
This team also differs from past Bulldog squads in another key statistic.
"In years past, we've beaten our opponent by more goals, had a bigger goal differential. That said, this is the best defensive record since I've been at Whitefish."
In six league matches, Whitefish allowed six goals. Overall, just eight.
Senior Joe Galbraith is a key reason for that as he has had a superb season in goal. He's a two-year starter.
Hamilton has scored 30 goals and allowed 17.
The winner of this match travels next weekend to face either Billings Central or Stevensville.
Libby vs. Livingston
Saturday, noon
Libby returns to playoff action, advancing to the title match versus Whitefish a year ago. The Loggers finished second in Northern A with a 5-2-1 mark in 2008. Overall, they are 7-4-1.
Livingston, 4-1, finished second in Eastern A. Overall, the Rangers were 8-1.
These two teams met on Sept. 6 in Livingston. The Rangers won that meeting 4-1.
"We did not play well," Libby coach Charlie Webster said.
He expects his team to be more focused and ready to go this time.
"Defensively, we're really strong," he said.
"Our attack, I would like to see us get a little stronger. Get a few more goal-scoring opportunities."
Livingston has scored 32 goals on the season, allowing just six. Libby has scored 23, allowed 12.
Kyle Berke is Libby's offensive leader with eight goals and three assists. Cree Maloney has scored six goals and is credited with four assists.
Bigfork vs. Corvallis
Friday, 4 p.m.
Bigfork is making its first playoff appearance in coach Keith Koslosky's third season at the helm.
The Vikings finished third in Northern A, 2-5-1, and posted a 2-7-2 mark overall.
Bigfork has scored 11 goals, allowing 32.
Corvallis won the Southern A title, 10-0. The Blue Devils are 11-0-1 overall.
Corvallis has scored 64 goals, which is a team best for Class A. It has allowed 15.
Philip Hermanni, a junior midfielder, is Bigfork's top scorer - six goals and one assist.
Alec McCallum, a junior midfielder, is next with four goals and two assists.
Derek Minemyer, a junior forward, has scored four goals and has one assist. Lael Richmond, a junior midfielder, has a team high three assists.
"In the last five games, we've held our opponent to eight scoreless halves out of 10," Koslosky said.
"The boys believe in themselves, they have come a long way. We're thrilled to be in the playoffs. We are planning to move on."