SOCCER: Loggers fall in final seconds

The Libby Loggers loss on Saturday came in the final seconds of stoppage time, sending the Whitefish Bulldogs home with a 3-2 victory.

The Loggers kept pace with the ‘Dogs Saturday afternoon, even controlling the pace of the game by drawing first blood, but Whitefish’s persistence held until the end.

“We controlled the tempo the first 20 minutes in the match and had them on their heels until we gave up an easy goal on the free kick,” said Libby skipper Mark Petersen. “That seemed to change the momentum in the first half.”

Libby midfielder Cody Wood posted the first goal for the Loggers early in the first half with an assist from senior forward Giovanni Cano. Whitefish quickly answered with a shot that seemed to slip through keeper Ryan Nagle’s gloves with the rain.

With nine minutes left in the first half, Xander Burger made a deflection shot that put Whitefish up 2-1.

In the second half, Libby managed its way back into the game with a goal by senior midfielder Bryant Reis, again assisted by Cano in the 60th minute.

But as Whitefish’s forwards attacked the goal in the final seconds, Casey Schneider found the net for the go-ahead goal, without much time for Libby to rebut.

“It takes skill to get lucky sometimes so they had what it took. They found a way to get that go-ahead; they know the game well,” Petersen said. “They have a pretty solid freshman core and more coming up next season so that’s always been a real strong program.”

Petersen said Libby is still down two men on the roster due to injuries, including juniors midfielder Ethan Hoff and defenseman Tyler Lucas.

“Tyler is centerback in the back, he’s our speed, its tough to miss him,” said Petersen, who hopes to have his sideline back at full health in coming weeks.

The Loggers look ahead now to Bigfork this week. The game begins at 5 p.m. on Friday in Bigfork.

Reporter Seaborn Larson may be reached at 758-4441 or by email at slarson@dailyinterlake.com.