Lady Dogs off to hot start in conference play
Whitefish girls soccer racked up three conference wins in a strong week for the Lady Dogs (6-2).
On Tuesday the team took down Bigfork (0-6) 7-2 behind four goals from senior Haley Nicholson. Senior Julia Houston and freshmen Anna Cook and Grace Benkelman all added goals for Whitefish, and senior goalkeeper Kess Nelson had three saves on six shots on goal. Junior Hailie Norred scored Bigfork’s two goals.
The Lady Dogs then hosted rival Columbia Falls (4-3) Thursday in a hard-fought 3-2 match. The Wildkats were hot early, scoring goals in the 10th and 11th minute to jump out to a quick 2-0 lead. Nicholson scored soon after, followed by a goal from senior Mellisa Pollard. The score remained tied until the 57th minute, when Nicholson netted her second goal of the day and the eventual game-winner. Nelson had four saves on the Wildkats’ six shots on goal. Kaylee Ashe and Hannah Gedlaman scored for the Wildkats.
“The Columbia Falls and Whitefish games are always difficult. Anything can happen in those games, they’re always a challenge,” head coach Roland Benedict said. “The girls made a couple mistakes and gave away some quick goals, but we responded well. It’s tough to go down 2-0 at home against your biggest rival in the first ten minutes or so.”
The Lady Dogs continued their conference win streak Saturday, defeating Libby (0-6) 2-0 behind goals from Nicholson. Nicholson leads Montana A girls soccer in goals scored this season with 19 in eight matches so far. Whitefish led Libby in shots on goal 14-1.
Whitefish remains undefeated in conference play, and their two losses come from the teams that met for the title last year, Laurel and Billings Central. Benedict said he feels good moving forward through the second half of the season.
“I’m happy where we’re at. You always want to win every game, but having a couple tough losses on the road kind of fires you up, gets you a little mad and angry and ready to compete for the second half of the season.”
Whitefish hosts Polson (5-1) for Saturday’s homecoming matchup. The game is at 5 p.m. at Memorial Field.
Bigfork 0 2 — 2
Whitefish 5 2 — 7
W—Haley Nicholson (unassisted), 7’
W—Julia Houston (Anna Cook), 11’
W—Nicholson (Audrey Hyatt), 17’
W—Nicholson (Abby Lowry), 27’
W—Grace Benkelman, 28’
B—Haile Norred, 46’
B—Norred, 51’
W—Nicholson, 63’
W—Cook (Kellie Brown), 73’
Saves—Bigfork 16 (Celeste Rehbein), Whitefish 3 (Kess Nelson). Shots—Bigfork 6, Whitefish 27. Corner kicks—Bigfork 5, Whitefish 4. Cards—none.
Columbia Falls 2 0 — 2
Whitefish 2 1 — 3
CF — Kaylee Ashe, 10:00
CF — Hannah Gedlaman (Ashe), 11:00
W — Haley Nicholson, 17:00
W — Melissa Pollard (Nicholson), 21:00
W — Nicholson (Mckayla Stone), 57:00
Shots on goal — Columbia Falls 6, Whitefish 8; Goalie saves — Columbia Falls 5 (Madeline Jarvis), Whitefish 4 (Kess Nelson); Corner kicks — Columbia Falls 0, Whitefish 2; Fouls — NA; Cards — NA.
Whitefish 2 0 — 2
Libby 0 0 — 0
WF — Haley Nicholson (unassisted), 10:00
WF — Nicholson (unassisted), 21:00
Shots on goal — Whitefish 14, Libby 1. Saves — Whitefish 1 (Kess Nelson), Libby 12 (Shannon Reny). Corner kicks — Whitefish 3, Libby 0. Fouls — Whitefish 5, Libby 4. Cards — None.