Lights out defense leads Lady Dogs

The Lady Bulldog defense gave nothing to Polson’s high-power offense in a 2-0 Northwest A soccer victory Thursday on the road.

Whitefish goalkeeper Kess Nelson made six saves and forward Haley Nicholson scored twice to lead the team in the win.

“Polson is a dangerous team,” Whitefish coach Roland Benedict said. “Our task was to eliminate their threats. We did that and forced them to take shots from tough angles.”

Benedict credited the entire defensive unit for the win.

“Kess Nelson, Lexi Carbo, Pixie Moore, Kellie Brown and Grace Scrafford — they just played lights out,” he said.

Nicholson’s first goal came in the third minute on a penalty kick when Polson was called for a hand ball.

Nicholson converted again off an assist from Melisa Pollard in the second half.

“Haley got the ball 40 yards out, beat her defender then buried her shot,” Benedict said.

The victory revenges a 4-1 loss to the Pirates earlier in the season and muddies the top of the Northwest A standings.

Currently, Polson stands alone at the top with a 5-1 conference record. Columbia Falls is second at 4-1 and Whitefish is third at 4-2, with the teams on track to meet in a play-in game for the No. 2 playoff seed.

Whitefish faces Columbia Falls on Saturday at noon.

“It’s important for our confidence,” Benedict said of closing the season strong. “We could end up playing [Columbia Falls] again just a few days later in the play-in.”