Whitefish splits with Hamilton in soccer

HAMILTON — Whitefish got four goals from Shanoah Montano and three from Jared Johnson in a 8-4 win over Hamilton in the Class A boys soccer opener for both schools on Friday.

The Bulldogs fell behind early, conceding a goal in the fourth minute, but rebounded emphatically, scoring the next six goals of the first half.

Johnson scored two goals a minute apart in the 25th and 26th minutes and Montano added one a minute later to give Whitefish the lead for good.

Montano scored the next two, and Johnson one more before half, to each complete their hat tricks at the break, leading 6-1.

“They were getting into a rhythm out there ... finding each other,” Whitefish coach O’Brien Byrd said of Montano and Johnson. “They could have scored a lot more.”

Hamilton scored three times in the second half to make a charge, but goals from Montano and Ben Hirsch kept the Bulldogs out front.

“We made some mistakes that you make in preseason conference play, the first game of the year,” Byrd said.

“I’m very happy with the win. It was a gusty performance. We have a quick learning group.”

Whitefish hosts Corvallis on Friday at 6 p.m.

Whitefish 5 3 — 8

Hamilton 1 3 — 4

Whitefish — Jared Johnson (Shanoah Montano), 25:00; Johnson (Taven Edland), 26:00; Montano (Avery Hirsch), 27:00; Montano (Johnson), 38:00; Montano (Johnson), 40:00; Johnson, 41:00; Ben Hirsch, 46:00; Montano, 67:00.

Hamilton — Ethan Recht (Corgin Grimes), 4:00; Kyle Crossman (David Feldmann), 52:00; Feldmann (Crossman), 58:00; Crossman (Feldmann), 63:00.

Shots on goal — Whitefish 14, Hamilton 14; Corner kicks — Whitefish 1, Hamilton 3; Goalie saves — Whitefish 14 (Sam Benkelman 12, Haven Gunderson 2); Hamilton 14 (Casey Ryder); Fouls — Whitefish 11, Hamilton 3; Cards — None.

GIRLS

Hamilton 3, Whitefish 1

HAMILTON — Hamilton scored the first three goals of the second half to take command of its contest with Whitefish.

Brianna Huggans scored the first two goals of the game, the first four minutes into the second half, to lead the Broncs to victory.

Grace Kurtz, on an assist from Anna Peterson, scored in the 86th minute for Whitefish.

“It was our first game, we’re looking to learn from this game and move forward,” Whitefish coach Wendy Farrens said.

“We’re already looking to Corvallis next week.”

That match is Friday in Whitefish at 4 p.m.

Whitefish 0 1 — 1

Hamilton 0 3 — 3

WHITEFISH — Grace Kurtz (Anna Peterson), 86:00

Hamilton — Brianna Huggans, 49:00; Huggans, 55:00; Mckayl Rothie, 77:00

Shots on goal - Whitefish 6, Hamilton 16; Corner kicks- Whitefish 1, Hamilton 3; Goalie saves - Whitefish 11, Hamilton 3; Fouls - NA; Cards - none.