Touch of luck boosts Lady Dogs to victory
The Lady Bulldogs soccer team clawed their way to a pair of 2-1 victories last week at home behind a solid team effort and a little bit of luck.
Whitefish edged Belgrade on Friday, then survived a battle with Livingston on Saturday to up their overall record to 3-1.
Against Belgrade, the Lady Bulldogs dominated the first half.
Haley Nicholson tallied in the 16th minute off a feed from Grace Kurtz to put Whitefish up 1-0.
Senior captain Caroline Carbo hit the net in the 31st minute on a beautiful strike from 20 yards out. The shot sailed over the keeper’s hands and into the upper-left corner.
Belgrade countered in the second half with a penalty kick, but Whitefish held on for the victory.
On Saturday, Livingston dominated possession in the early going and the Rangers hit the net first in the 14th minute.
Whitefish equalized in the 38th minute when Nicholson put in a blast from 30 yards out to the upper-left corner.
Jessica Baldonado scored the game-winner in the 71st minute on an attempted cross that curved into the net.
“Basically it was pure luck,” Baldonado said. “I saw that I beat the goalie, so it was basically a cross into one of my teammates, but it ended up spinning in.”
Whitefish coach Wendy Farrens said the win was a great team effort.
“Our defensive line and (goalkeeper) Piper (Greenwood) backing us up saved us quite a few times, but we were able to pull through and get a goal,” Farrens said.
Whitefish next plays at Columbia Falls in a conference match Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Livingston 1 0 — 1
Whitefish 1 1 — 2
L - Ariona Brown, 14:00
W - Haley Nicholson (assist Julia Houston), 38:00
W - Jess Baldonado (Hayley Burger), 71:00
Shots - Livingston 9, Whitefish N/A. Saves - N/A. Corner kicks - Livingston 2, Whitefish 1. Fouls - N/A. Yellow cards - none. Red cards - none.
Whitefish 2 0 — 2
Belgrade 0 1 — 1
B - Serena Klopp (penalty kick), 64:00. Shots: 7. Goalies: Autumn Rollins (8 saves).
W - Haley Nicholson (Grace Kurtz), 16:00; Caroline Carbo (Jess Baldonado), 31:00. Shots: 15. Goalies: Piper Greenwood (5 saves).