Girls soccer edges Wildkats in rivalry game

In the week leading up to taking the pitch under the lights in Columbia Falls, the Lady Bulldogs were working on shoring up game tactics and improving mental toughness.

It was an effort that seemed to work as Whitefish kept its cool taking a 1-0 win over the Wildkats Thursday night.

The lone goal came in the 46th minute when Brooke Roberts netted a goal off an assist from Sophie Olson.

The teams matched well, as Whitefish only outshot the Kats 15-14. After the game Coach Roland Benedict told the Daily Inter Lake that he was most impressed with the girls defensive effort. Columbia Falls has proven to be a dynamic attacking force in its first games of the season leading up to playing the Bulldogs on Thursday.

The Wildkats boast the current Montana Class A leading girls scorer, junior midfielder Maddie Robison. She scored five goals and had four assists this season during a game against Frenchtown. Columbia Falls is plus-15 in goals for versus against in the 2020 season.

However, Whitefish stayed tough and focused, delivering the Wildkats their first loss in shutout fashion. Benedict named Isabelle Cook, Emma Barron, Anna Akey and Olson as significant contributors in the game.

With the result, Columbia Falls fell to 3-1-0 and Whitefish improved to 3-0-1. The Bulldog’s match with Bigfork was canceled earlier in the week due to poor air quality from wildfire smoke.

The Bulldogs were set to play Polson on Tuesday after press time, then the girls will host Stevensville on Thursday, Sept. 24. The canceled game against Bigfork has been rescheduled for Monday, Sept. 28.

Whitefish 1, Columbia Falls 0

Columbia Falls 0 0 — 0

Whitefish 0 1 — 1

W - Brooke Roberts (Sophie Olson), 46:00

Shots on goal - Columbia Falls 14, Whitefish 15. Keeper saves - Whitefish 11, Columbia Falls 14. Corner kicks - Columbia Falls 4, Whitefish 1. Fouls - n/a. Cards - Whitefish 1 yellow.