Boys Soccer: Whitefish slips by Loggers, 2-1

A victory over Whitefish will have to wait for another day.

The Libby High School boys soccer team tried to rally from a 2-0 first-half deficit and despite a vigorous effort in the late going, just couldn’t score the equalizer in a 2-1 loss on the road.

“The final 15-20 minutes of the game were some of the most exciting soccer the Loggers have played all year,” LHS coach Charlie Webster said. “Libby had momentum and outplayed Whitefish most of the second half but kept finding ways to lose possession without getting a shot.”

Whitefish got on the scoreboard in the 14th minute on an uncontested cross headed in by Travis Adams. Then right before halftime, Whitefish capitalized on a Logger turnover when Cody Ling found the net.

“Whitefish had control over the first half of the game,” Webster said. “We were a bit shaky at the start and Whitefish was able to capitalize on our numerous mistakes.”

Libby settled down in the second half and pulled to within 2-1 when Cree Maloney scored on a cross to the center of the field from Daniel Webster. Maloney’s goal came in the 60th minute and Libby dominated the rest of the way but couldn’t get another into the net.

Lewis Brossman finished with six saves for the Loggers.

The two teams will meet again in Libby on Oct. 10.

“We liked the way we finished the game and have to find a way to play that way from the start,” Webster said. “The next four games are at home and will have playoff ramifications.”

Back on Thursday, the Loggers took a 1-0 victory at Bonners Ferry, Idaho, in a nonconference matchup.

Edson Vences scored the lone goal when he got into the path of a ball kicked by Bonners Ferry keeper Matt Evans. On the play, Vences sprinted 20 yards on a pass back to the Bonners Ferry keeper.

“Edson’s run was pure hustle … the keeper had a bad touch, rushed his kick and hit Edson square in the chest,” Webster said. “Edson deflected the ball into the goal for a 1-0 lead.”

The play occurred in the game’s 67th minute.

Brossman recorded the shutout and had four saves in goal for Libby.

“All around, it was one of our best played games,” Webster said. “We stuck with our game plan, executed well, and players made good decisions.”

Webster said midfielders Nick Reny, James Schnackenberg, Daniel Webster, Elias Lapka and Marco Vences controlled the middle of the field for most of the game.

Libby (3-1 in conference, 6-2 overall) was scheduled to host Columbia Falls on Tuesday in a game after presstime. On Saturday, the Loggers will play at home against Bigfork with a 1 p.m. start time.