Girls finish year on high note

They may not have made the playoffs, but they still showed they could play.

The Columbia Falls girls soccer team beat Whitefish last Thursday 1-0 to end their season on a high note.

While both teams have played close games in recent years and tied on several occasions, this was the first time the Kats had beaten the rival Bulldogs since October 2005.

The Kats lone game came on a long feed from midfielder Sophia Peterson to forward McKenzie Reeve five minutes into the game. Reeve took a shot and it rebounded off Whitefish keeper Madisen Cross and hit Reeve directly in the face.

She shook off the shot to the head, however and got past Cross to knock in the loose ball.

Peterson came back from a knee injury that kept her out for two games to give the girls a spark.

Coach Greg Trenerry was pleased with the effort.

"That was a nice way to end the season," he said. "The seniors played really well."

The Kats lose Peterson, Reeve and defender Ashli Fairbank to graduation, but everyone else returns.

They finished the year 6-4-1 and 4-3-1 in conference play. A tie against Bigfork last week knocked the girls out of the playoffs.

Niesha Thompson proved her moxy in goal, with five tough saves.

"That last save she made was critical," Trenerry noted.

The Kats outshot Whitefish 8-7. Each team had five fouls.

The Kats did a great job of controlling the ball in the first half, but the Dogs really put the pressure on the second half — but unlike other games this year, the Kats were able to stem the tide and hold on for the win.

Columbia Falls 1, Whitefish 0

Whitefish 0 0 - 0

Columbia Falls 1 0 - 1

COLUMBIA FALLS - McKenzie Reeve (Sophie Peterson), 5:00

Shots on goal - Whitefish 7, Columbia Falls 8

Corner kicks - Whitefish 6, Columbia Falls 4

Goalie saves - Whitefish 3 (Madisen Cross), Columbia Falls 5 (Niesha Thompson)

Fouls - Whitefish 5, Columbia Falls 5