Soccer Roundup: Polson struggles against Bulldogs, Vikings

At Polson, the host Pirates played at a level fit for champions, but two-time State A boys champion Whitefish utilized both their extensive pitch experience and bench depth to overtake Polson with their complex attack. Pirate defender Austin Luper was able to boot a through ball deep down the Bulldog portion of the field that split the seam between two defenders, which junior forward Kaden Nelson tracked down, corralled and then buried into the back of the Whitefish net to put Polson on the board.

Whitefish 5, Polson 1

Whitefish 3 2 – 5

Polson 1 0 – 1

Goals: Brandon Mendoza, Whitefish (Collin Lyman assist) 8'; Ford Thompson, Whitefish (Chase Sabin assist) 19'; Niath Edland, Whitefish (James Thompson assist) 29'; Kaden Nelson, Polson (Austin Luper assist) 29'; Lyman (Marvin Kimera assist) 52'; Sabin (unassisted) 61'

Shots (on goal) – Whitefish 22 (17), Polson 11 (5)

At Bigfork after a scoreless first half in boys action, the host Vikings would score to break the stalemate. But "Leo" La Leon Landon Becker netted the equalizer off an assist from Keith Erickson as the visiting Pirates tied the Vikings.

The Pirates will have already faced the Wildcats in Columbia Falls on Tuesday on a flip-flop of the schedule, which will now have Polson host the rematch Thursday. Thereafter, Polson hosts the Libby Loggers on Saturday.

Polson 1, Bigfork 1

Polson 0 1 – 1

Bigfork 0 1 – 1

Goals: Ben Pilskalns, Bigfork (unassisted) 58'; Landon Becker, Polson (Keith Erickson assist) 62'

Shots (on goal) – Polson 22 (13); Bigfork 11 (1)

At Polson, the visiting Lady Bulldogs of Whitefish dictated the tempo of the game with a lopsided possession disparity that inevitably resulted in a pair of optimal scenario first-half goals. Lady Pirate goalkeeper Megan Rost could have done little to prevent those balls from finding net short of possessing lightning speed like the Flash or mutant capability like X-men.

The Lady Pirates played the Lady Bulldogs even the second half, but could carve no deeper into the deficit. Sophia Moderie scored the goal off an assist from Autumn Burland. Senior defender Grace Hobbs intercepted at least eight shots on frame that would have required intervention by the keeper had she not cleared the ball out of harm's way.

Whitefish 3, Polson 1

Whitefish 2 1 – 3

Polson 0 1 – 1

Goals: Emma Barron, Whitefish (Sophie Olson assist) 20'; Brooke Roberts, Whitefish (Maile Vine assist) 32'; Sophia Moderie, Polson (Autumn Burland assist) 47'; Ali Hirsch, Whitefish (Barron ck) 67'

Shots (on goal) – Whitefish 50 (31), Polson 13 (6)

At Bigfork in the first round of the battle of the bays, the visiting Lady Pirates trailed by two at intermission. But Sophia Moderie cut the lead in half with a putback goal after an initial penalty kick that was deflected by the Val goalkeeper. Autumn Burland had set the table by threading a through ball into the box, but the Valkyries opted to foul rather than surrender an inevitable goal.

The Lady Pirates will have already faced the WildKats in Columbia Falls on Tuesday on a flip-flop of the reschedule which will now have Polson host the rematch Thursday. Thereafter, Polson hosts Libby on Saturday.

Bigfork 4, Polson 1

Polson 0 1 – 1

Bigfork 2 2 – 4

Goals: Haley Shara, Bigfork (unassisted) 11'; Danika Bucklin, Bigfork (Audrey Buenz ck) 22'; Sophia Moderie, Polson (pk defl off gk putback); Calista Wroble; Bigfork (Olivia Kirby assist); Wroble (unassisted)