Logger kickers roll; tie Whitefish, 2-2

The Libby Loggers boys’ soccer team is on a hot streak.

Hosting North Conference-leader Whitefish, the Loggers looked to redeem an early-season loss to the Bulldogs. Perseverance was rewarded with a late, game-tying goal under the lights at Logger Stadium.

Down 2-0 late in the first half, Libby maintained form and scored their first goal when freshman Colin Maloney tapped in a Johnny Davidson header from a Jason Schnackenberg cross. The goal was Maloney’s first varsity tally.

Whitefish adjusted in the second half, adding another defender to their formation in an effort to maintain their one-goal lead. The chess match yielded no results until the Loggers pushed two midfielders up to forward positions in the final 15 minutes. In the 79th, Giovanni Cano placed home another Schnackenberg cross. The goal, like Maloney’s, was Cano’s first as a varsity player.

The game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Libby followed their hard-earned draw with a win the next day during Senior Night against Columbia Falls.

Following an unlucky first half in which two shots struck post, freshman Cody Wood scored in the 48th minute to put Libby up 1-0.

Ten minutes later, Columbia Falls tied the game. Only 2 minutes, 19 seconds later Libby responded decisively when Bohdan Yakovenko hammered a ball from 25 yards out off the crossbar and in. The Loggers went on to win 2-1.

“The freshman trio of Cody Wood, Gio Cano and Colin Maloney have become quite an addition to our attack,” Head Coach Charlie Webster said.

The Loggers are now  second in conference with a 3-1-2 record in conference.

They play next at noon, Saturday in Polson.