Lady Dogs push into conference lead

The Lady Bulldogs hold a narrow edge atop the Northwest A standings after a 5-0 victory at winless Libby on Saturday.

The scoring came early for Whitefish as they posted all of their goals in the first half.

Haley Nicholson scored the first of her four goals in the 16th minute. Abbie Creighton also scored for the Dogs in the 18th minute.

Callie Ling had five saves in the win.

A tight battle with Polson on Sept. 16 ended in a 2-2 draw.

The Lady Pirates scored just two minutes into the match to put the Dogs on its heels.

Jess Baldonado hit the equalizer at 25 minutes to knot the game at half.

Nicholson found room at the top of the penalty box and put a shot past a pair of defenders at 52 minutes to briefly give Whitefish the lead.

Polson’s Marina Mayorga managed to sneak in a goal at 70 minutes to tie it up before the final whistle.

The Lady Dogs are 3-2 overall and 2-0-1 in the conference. Columbia Falls is second (3-1, 2-0), followed by Bigfork (4-2, 1-1), Polson (2-2, 1-0-1), and Libby (0-6, 0-3).

Whitefish played Bigfork on Tuesday. The Dogs host Columbia Falls on Saturday at 5 p.m. for a homecoming match under the lights at Memorial Stadium.

Whitefish 5 0 – 5

Libby 0 0 – 0

WF – Haley Nicholson (Grace Kurtz), 16:00

WF – Abbie Creighton, 18:00

WF – Nicholson (Jessica Baldonado), 22:00

WF – Nicholson, 29:00

WF – Nicholson (Kurtz), 30:00

Saves – Whitefish 5 (Calle Ling), Libby 9 (Shannon Reny 5, Abbey Enennga 4). Corner kicks – Whitefish 4, Libby 1. Cards – none.

Polson 1 1 – 2

Whitefish 1 1 – 2

P – Sarah Howell (assist Tiara Duford), 2:00

W – Jess Baldonado (Grace Kurtz), 25:00

W – Haley Nicholson (Haley Burger), 52:00

P – Marina Mayorga (unassisted), 70:00

Shots on goal – Polson 17, Whitefish 14. Saves – Polson 7 (Jenna Evertz), Whitefish 15 (Kess Nelson). Corner kicks – Polson 0, Whitefish 9. Total fouls – Polson 5, Whitefish 8. Cards – none.