Lady 'Dogs confident after preseason

The Lady Bulldogs split a pair of nonconference games last weekend, losing a tight match 2-1 to defending Class A champions Billings Central before rolling past Laurel 7-2.

In both matches, Whitefish coach Erin Morrison said the squad played with a confidence she didn't see last season, especially in the loss to Billings.

"Central is on a 32-game winning streak," Morrison said. "They're very solid and have a lot of talent, but we hung in there and that's huge for our girls. We lacked confidence last year against them. Now we have that."

Central scored first in the 11th minute, but Caroline Carbo quickly countered with a goal in the 23rd minute. Carbo took a pass from Megan Danczyk then booted it from outside the penalty box to the left side of the net.

"Caroline's goal really lifted the team," Morrison said.

Billings scored the game-winner in the 49th minute and held Whitefish scoreless for the remainder.

"Mentally, that last 20 minutes we shut down," Morrison said. "We have to play a full 80 minutes. Going into the Laurel game, I told them we have to play from the first five minutes to the last five minutes. There has to be urgency the entire game."

The Lady 'Dogs brought that urgency to Smith Fields on Saturday, scoring early and often against Laurel.

Whitefish opened with three goals in the first eight minutes, one each from Presley Pritchard, Natalie Gayner and Charlotte Kamaraph. Kamaraph added another to give Whitefish a 4-2 lead at the half.

Gayner came out of the break on a tear, posting a goal three minutes in and another at the 53-minute mark to complete a hat trick.

"Natalie was great on offense," Morrison said. "As a co-captain, she has to score for us."

Maddie Grady found the net in the 77th minute to cap the game's scoring.

With the preseason winding down, the Lady 'Dogs turn their attention to the conference schedule this week, starting with Thursday's game at Bigfork.

"Now the games count," Morrison said. "We'll play Bigfork like it's a state championship game. We have to go 100 percent all the time. Bigfork is young and has a small roster, but they do have talent."

The game is slated for 4 p.m. at Bigfork.

Whitefish 1, Billings C. 2

Whitefish — 1, Caroline Carbo (Megan Danczyk) 23:52. Goalie: Madison Cross, 7 saves. Shots: 10. Shots on goal: 4.

Halftime — Central 1, Whitefish 1.

Whitefish 7, Laurel 2

Whitefish —Presley Pritchard (Michela Millette) 3:00, Natalie Gayner 5:00, Charlotte Kamaraph (Sam Dittman) 8:00, Kamaraph 31:00, Gayner 43:00, Gayner 53:00, Maddie Grady 77:00. Shots: 21. Goalie: Callie Marsh, 12 saves.

Halftime — Whitefish 4, Laurel 2.