WHITEFISH — Xander Burger scored five goals to help Whitefish to a 6-2 win over Polson in the Class A boys soccer state championship on Saturday.
It looked like the two Northern A teams were headed for a defensive battle nearly 30 minutes in, but the flood gates opened in the 27th minute when Burger scored his first goal off an Ian Lacey assist. Burger added his second goal just minutes later, getting an assist from Casey Schneider in the 30th minute.
Polson answered just before half, though. Bridger Wenzel found Nico River, who knocked in the Pirates’ first goal to bring them to 2-1 at half.
The quick-scoring pace continued into the second, as Burger found the net in the 41st minute off another Schneider assist. Robin Erickson scored in the 44th to bring Polson back within 3-2, but Whitefish would control the rest of the match.
Lacey scored on a penalty kick in the 58th minute, and Burger added goals in the 71st and 76th minutes for the final advantage. Lacey finished the match with one goal and two assists, while Schneider had two assists.
Colter Upton was in goal for Whitefish, stopping nine of Polson’s 11 shots.
