Lady Dogs nip Kats 3-1

The Lady Bulldogs got a satisfying 3-1 win over the rival Columbia Falls Wildkats last week.

Olivia Potthoff led the way with two goals, scored in the 60th and 75th minutes. Abigail Shaffer added the team’s other goal early in the first half.

Columbia Falls got their lone score from Josie Windauer, who found the goal in the 62nd minute.

Whitefish (3-3, 2-0) had 16 shots on goal to 15 for Columbia Falls.

Head coach Roland Benedict said stopping Columbia Falls’ scorer was the top task.

“Going into the game we knew that their dangerous player is Josie Windauer, so trying to take her out of the game is hard. She’s such an athlete, and when you pair that with her technical abilities as a player, it’s a tough task,” he said. “The goal she scored was a left-footed rocket from 20, 30 yards out. If that’s the look she gets then that’s good for us.”

Benedict said he’s seen a lot of improvement in his team so far this season, especially on the defensive end.

“Last season we conceded too many goals,” he said. “This year we’re a better attacking team, so all through preseason we worked on defensive shape. When you play against good teams, they’re going to score goals on you. So it’s trying to limit the opportunities and limit the mistakes. Defensively we’ve become a lot better. I think where we need work is decision making, and I think we improved on that and showed great composure in the Columbia Falls game.”

Whitefish hosted Libby on Tuesday after presstime. On Saturday they’ll host Polson in another Northwest A conference matchup. That will start at noon at Smith Fields.

Whitefish 1 2 — 3

Columbia Falls 0 1 — 1

W — Abigail Shaffer (Saylor Schlauch), 16:00

W — Olivia Potthoff (Anna Akey), 60:00

CF — Josie Windauer, 62:00

W — Potthoff (Anna Cook), 75:00

Shots on goal — Whitefish 16, Columbia Falls 15; Corner kicks — Whitefish 3, Columbia Falls 1; Keeper saves — Whitefish 8 (Sami Galbraith), Columbia Falls 8 (Ave McDonald); Fouls — Whitefish NA; Cards — None.