Boys playoff soccer: Rangers shock Bulldogs
<hr /><p>Whitefish senior Tommy Murphy (6) takes a shot Saturday afternoon during Whitefish's matchup against Livingston in the quarterfinal round of the Class A playoffs at Smith Fields in Whitefish.</p>
WHITEFISH — There will be no three-peat for the Whitefish boys soccer team.
Livingston scored four times in the second half to shock the two-time defending state champions 4-0 in the first round of the Class A playoffs Saturday at Smith Fields.
Daniel Newhouse knocked in a cross from Conner Amsk in the 47th minute to break the deadlock. Two minutes later, Tom Short one-touched a corner kick from Newhouse past Whitefish goalkeeper Casey Ling and Newhouse put the Rangers ahead 3-0 in the 58th minute.
Steve Newhouse concluded the scoring in the 75th minute when he ran down a punt from goalkeeper Cyler Cain and put an exclamation point on Livingston’s stunning victory.
“We knew we had a chance to come in here and win if we controlled the midfield,” Livingston coach Jeff Dickerson said.
“We knew we had the offense to put it in the net. It was just a matter of whether we could control the game, and I think our boys did.”
Whitefish beat Livingston 5-1 during the regular season thanks in part to a quick start. Jared Johnson opened the scoring in the eighth minute of that contest, but the Bulldogs had no such luck on Saturday against an opponent that clearly was not intimidated by the reigning champions.
While Whitefish had more chances in the first half, Livingston created opportunities of its own and was happy to go into the break tied 0-0. The breakthrough came seven minutes into the second half and Livingston was off to the races while Whitefish was clearly rattled to be trailing on its home field.
“We were in control of the match up until that goal,” Whitefish coach O’Brien Byrd said.
“They had some chances, but we had the majority of play. It’s classic playoff soccer with that onus hanging over your head that it could all be over if things don’t go right.
“That goal for sure shook the guys, shook them up and all of the sudden they let that lack of confidence creep in. They let it in their minds, you could see it out there.”
Whitefish was forced to push forward after the third goal, which left the Bulldogs exposed at the back and Steve Newhouse took advantage of that extra space when he netted Livingston’s final goal.
“I’m proud of the guys though,” Byrd said.
“It was a very successful season that we’ve had. A roller coaster of emotions and events. It’s been a journey. It’s been well-worthwhile for the coaching staff and I know the guys are bummed that we lost today, but they’ll look back on all the good times we had this season. That being said, like I told the guys after the game, ‘let this make you a stronger person. Never forget this. Let it motivate you in more ways than just soccer. You can’t win them all.’”
Whitefish’s seniors finished their careers as two-time state champions and three-time conference champions.
“It’s been an honor to play with these guys,” Whitefish senior forward Nathan Boone said.
“Great year, a lot of fun, wish it would’ve ended different but it’s been quite the ride.”
Livingston 0 4 — 4
Whitefish 0 0 — 0
L - Daniel Newhouse (assist Conner Amsk), 47:00
L - Tom Short (D. Newhouse), 49:00
L - D. Newhouse (unassisted), 58:00
L - Steve Newhouse (Cyler Cain), 75:00
Shots on goal - Livingston 8, Whitefish 11. Saves - Livingston 11 (Cyler Cain), Whitefish 7 (Casey Ling). Corner kicks - Livingston 7, Whitefish 10. Fouls - Livingston 6, Whitefish 7. Yellow cards - Livingston 1, Whitefish 2. Red cards - none.