Sam Menicke got undefeated Whitefish High School on the board in the 30th minute and the Bulldogs rolled from there, taking down Livingston 4-0 at Smith Fields on Oct. 13 in the quarterfinal round of the Class A state soccer tournament.
Ammann Koch-Ford, James Thompson and Ian Lacey also scored for Whitefish (12-0-1) in the win. The state runner-up a year ago, the Bulldogs will be at home throughout this year’s playoffs and host Southern A conference champion Frenchtown on Oct. 20 in the semifinals. The Broncs blanked Laurel 2-0 in their quarterfinal match.
Northern A conference runner-up Polson also reached the state semis, notching an impressive 7-3 blowout win over Missoula Loyola. Mack Moderie, Nico River and Robin Erickson all scored twice for the Pirates (12-1-1). Polson travels to tangle with two-time defending state champion Belgrade on Oct. 20 in the semifinals. The Panthers topped Hamilton 4-0 in their quarterfinal match.
In the girls tournament, Whitefish’s Olivia Potthoff scored a minute into the second overtime period to send the Bulldogs (9-5-0) into the state semifinals with a 2-1 victory against Hamilton at Smith Fields. Whitefish will travel to take on powerhouse Billings Central in an Oct. 20 semifinal. The Rams have won eight of the last 10 Class A state soccer titles.
Columbia Falls was not as fortunate in its own overtime match on Oct. 13, falling 2-1 to defending state champion Laurel. The Wildkats (8-4-0) won the Northern A regular season conference title but were unable to hold a 1-0 halftime lead against the Locomotives.