Girls split matches

Whitefish split a pair of Northwest A girls soccer matches last week at home to firmly remain in the playoff hunt.

The Lady Dogs battled for a 5-2 victory over Bigfork on Tuesday.

The teams traded scores in the first half for a 2-2 tie at the break.

Haley Nicholson scored in the ninth minute, while Katie Blankenship scored on an assist from Grace Kurtz in the 26th minute.

Two minutes into the second half, Nicholson gave Whitefish the lead with a goal off an assist from Julia Houston. Nicholson capped a hat trick at 53 minutes, assisted by Blankenship.

Kurtz finished off the scoring with a goal in the 74th minute.

In a battle for the conference lead, Whitefish dropped a hard-fought match Saturday evening to rival Columbia Falls.

Under the lights at Memorial Field, the Wildkats sneaked in a goal just before the half to earn a 1-0 victory.

Both teams tallied 14 shots on goal.

Whitefish is 4-3-2 overall and 3-1-1 in the conference. The team travels to Polson on Thursday.

Bigfork 2 0 – 2

Whitefish 2 3 – 5

B – Katie Thomas, 8:00

W – Haley Nicholson, 9:00

B – Katie Thomas (pk), 14:00

W – Katie Blankenship (Grace Kurtz), 26:00

W – Haley Nicholson (Julia Houston), 42:00

W – Haley Nicholson (Katie Blankenship), 53:00

W – Grace Kurtz (Audre Hyatt), 74:00

Shots – Whitefish 21, Bigfork 11. Saves Whitefish 5 (Alley Pencost, Celest Rehvein), Bigfork 8 (Kess Nelson). Corner Kicks – Whitefish 6, Bigfork 3. Fouls 10, 10. Cards – none.

Columbia Falls 1 0 — 0

Whitefish 0 0 — 0

COLUMBIA FALLS — Ellie Johnson 37:00

Shots on goal — Columbia Falls 14, Whitefish 14; Goalie saves — Columbia Falls 10 (Allison Gimbel), Whitefish 10 (Kess Nelson); Corner kicks — Columbia Falls 6, Whitefish 5; Fouls — Columbia Falls 9, Whitefish 12; Cards — 1 yellow for Whitefish