Lady Dogs' defense scores two shutouts
The Lady Bulldogs have employed an offense-first game plan thus far this season, but it was rock-solid defense that stole the show last week.
Whitefish's girls soccer team tallied two shutouts, scoring a 5-0-conference win at Bigfork on Thursday and a 1-0 nail-biter at Hamilton on Saturday to push the Lady 'Dogs to 4-1 overall. In both games, Whitefish coach Erin Morrison credits the defensive unit for closing out the victories.
"Our defense has been really strong," Morrison said. "We've had only four goals against us in five games."
Mackenzie Thomas, Maggie Frankino, Karissa DeMarco and Jordan Carper anchor the girls' back line.
"Mackenzie is just getting it this year," Morrison said about the center back. "The defense is holding it together."
At Bigfork, junior Natalie Gayner scored in the first two minutes to set the tone. She assisted Presley Pritchard in the 23rd minute to give Whitefish a 2-0 lead at half.
Gayner assisted Caroline Carbo for a goal in the 47th minute, and Jordan Carper finished off the scoring with a goal in the 70th minute.
Despite the shutout win, the Lady 'Dogs didn't play their best, Morrison said, but the conference win is huge nonetheless.
"We didn't come out the strongest," Morrison said. "It was our 'B' game, but we're still deadly with that."
Most of Bigfork's offense ran through their star player, forward Caitlin Charlebois, which Whitefish's defense easily shutdown. The Valkyries' tactics were a polar opposite of how the Lady 'Dogs approach a match.
"We don't have a star," Morrison said. "The team works together, and that's how we win."
At Hamilton on Saturday, Michela Millett scored in the eighth minute, but that was all the offense either team could muster in the defensive battle.
Whitefish controlled the ball through the first 70 minutes, Morrison said, until Hamilton came on strong the in final stretch.
"The last 10 minutes, we were on our heels," Morrison said. "We just had to hold them. I'm proud of our mental toughness. The girls were so tired and kept looking at me for a sub, but they worked through it."
Morrison pointed to senior Jordan Carper for her strong play.
"She lit a fire under her butt and stepped to the ball," the coach said. "Jordan shut down their No. 2 player."
Whitefish faces rival Columbia Falls today. The 'Kats topped Libby 7-0 earlier in the season and will bring a lot of energy to the field, Morrison said.
"They know how to score, and they'll give us a game," Morrison said. "It'll be fun."
The match is slated for 4 p.m. at Smith fields.
Whitefish 2 2 - 4
Bigfork 0 0 - 0
W - Natalie Gayner (Sam Dittman), 2:00
W - Presley Pritchard (Gayner), 23:00
W - Caroline Carbo (Gayner), 47:00
W - Jordan Carper (Dittman), 70:00.
Shots on goal - Whitefish 26, Bigfork 8. Saves - Whitefish 5 (Callie Marsh), Bigfork 10 (unavailable). Corner kicks - Whitefish 8, Bigfork 1. Total fouls - Whitefish 3, Bigfork 1. Yellow cards - none. Red cards - none.
Whitefish 1 0 - 1
Hamilton 0 0 - 0
WHITEFISH - Michela Millette (Natalie Gayner), 9:00
Shots on goal - Hamilton 10, Whitefish 8; Goalie saves - Hamilton 7, Whitefish 10 (Kelly Marsh); Corner kicks - Hamilton 3, Whitefish 3; Fouls - Hamilton 2, Whitefish 3; Cards - None