Lady Dogs fall to Wildkats, bounce back in Libby

The Lady Dogs couldn’t find the net against the rival Wildkats during a 3-0 loss at home last week.

Whitefish (6-4, 4-1) got the best of Columbia Falls in their previous matchup, but it was all Wildkats on Thursday.

Columbia Falls led 1-0 at the half and added two more goals in the second half to put the Lady Dogs away.

The game was tough, head coach Roland Benedict noted, but his team played better than the score shows.

“Honestly we played well. Anytime Whitefish plays Columbia Falls, it’s always going to be a battle, that’s just the nature of the beast,” Benedict said. “We had a lot of possession of the ball, we just couldn’t be as dangerous. I think they did a good job defensively.”

All three of Columbia Falls’ goals were scored by their star, Josie Windauer.

The team got back at it on Saturday, however, with a 6-0 win over the Lady Loggers in Libby.

Whitefish scored its first three goals of the game within a four-minute span, with Anna Cook, Ali Hirsch and Abigail Shaffer each netting a goal between the 10th and 14th minute of the game.

Cook added another goal at the 30th minute.

In the second half, Anna Akey and Saylor Schlauch did the scoring, with assists from Grace Benkelman and Hirsch.

Whitefish put up 31 shots on goal and held Libby to none in the match.

Benedict said it was good for his team to be back in control against the Lady Loggers.

“We had a great flowing attack going against Libby. It’s tough in a big tight game against Columbia Falls to be able to recognize what needs to be fixed in the moment, but with Libby we had a little more time to adjust,” he said.

This week Whitefish hosted Bigfork on Tuesday for Senior Night and Pink Week. On Thursday they’ll head down to Polson for another Northwest A conference match.

Abby Lowry and Schlauch are the two seniors on this year’s team.

Lowry has grown through the program and made a big impact, Benedict said, and though Schlauch transferred from Helena to play her senior year here, she’s left her mark as well.

“[Abby] is just the ultimate leader, she works her tail off and is great communicator. She does all the things that don’t show up in the stat sheet but really keeps the team moving forward,” Benedict said. “[Schlauch] hasn’t been through the program much but she’s been a great addition. She’s pushed the players around her and progressed our style of player.”

Columbia Falls 1 2 — 3

Whitefish 0 0 — 0

Scoring, statistics not available

Whitefish 4 2 – 6

Libby 0 0 – 0

W – Anna Cook (Emma Barron), 10:00

W – Ali Hirsch (Cook), 12:00

W – Abigail Shaffer (Hirsch), 14:00

W – Cook, 30:00

W – Anna Akey (Grace Benkelman), 48:00

W – Saylor Schlauch (Hirsch), 74:00

Shots on goal – Whitefish 31, Libby 0; Keeper saves – Whitefish 0, Libby 12; Corner kicks – Whitefish 7, Libby 1; Fouls – NA.