Golan, Wildcats top Bulldogs 3-1

COLUMBIA FALLS – In case you didn’t already know, the Columbia Falls Wildcats are the real deal.

The Wildcats made this clear Thursday when they beat Northern A conference rival Whitefish in a decisive 3-1 victory.

“It’s been a long time since we’ve been able to sweep Whitefish and let me tell you what, this victory tonight tastes sweet as can be,” Columbia Falls coach O’Brien Byrd said.

After beating Whitefish Sept. 15, snapping a four-year long winning streak for the school and shaking off years of defeats at the hands of the Bulldogs, the Wildcats are now freed from that burden,

“It’s truly incredible that not only this level of soccer is being played in northwestern Montana, but the level of passion and energy that has been cultivated was on display tonight by all the supporters,” Byrd said.

Kai Golan, who scored both goals in the 2-1 win earlier this month, scored two goals again, both in the first half.

Whitefish’s Ryder Elliott scored on a set piece in the 48th minute and the Bulldogs looked poised for a comeback.

But the Wildcats were not shaken. Finley Sundberg put Columbia Falls ahead 3-1 with his goal in the 68th minute, his 14th of the season. Sundberg also assisted on Golan’s second goal.

“These are definitely the nights we live for as coaches and as passionate supporters of high school soccer,” Byrd said. “I’m incredibly proud of my boys; these games are so tight and there’s so much passion and energy involved, they really have to be clutch and execute certain patterns and tactical play under such intense conditions.”

Whitefish struggled early on, pinned in their own zone for long stretches.

“We didn't play our best first half,” Whitefish coach John Lacey said. “A halftime reset helped a little. They took advantage of some of the mistakes we made and that's what good teams do.”

Elliott’s goal gave the Bulldogs some momentum, but that was snuffed by Sundberg’s goal.

“It's safe to say that right now we're both still building,” Lacey said. “We play for October — that's when the games that really matter come in. It's fun to watch two teams force each other to play their best and fastest.”

The Wildcats are still unbeaten at 9-0 overall and 5-0 in conference. Whitefish moves to 7-2 and 3-2.

“Hats off to Whitefish as they are a younger team and came to compete tonight,” Byrd said. “They are a well-coached team and have the pedigree that has brought them much success in the past. We can clinch the conference with a victory on Saturday night versus Bigfork. So much to play for.”

Whitefish 0 1 – 1

Columbia Falls 2 1 — 3

CF - Kai Golan (Walt Nichols) 3:00

CF - Golan (Finley Sundberg) 11:00

WF - Ryder Elliott 49:00

CF - Sundberg (Max Everett) 68:00

Shots – WF 3, CF 10; Goalie saves – WF 10, CF 4 (Braeden Fairchild); Corner kicks – WF 2, CF 8; Fouls – WF 12, CF 13.