Girls soccer routs Livingston, Lone Peak in nonconference victories

Whitefish expected to be tested on the pitch last week — playing Livingston and Lone Peak — and the team handled the challenge well.

The Lady Bulldogs came away with two big-time wins over Livingston, 10-0, and Lone Peak, 5-1. The victories improved Whitefish’s overall record to 4-0.

Over both games, the teams saw improvements yet again from young players and those playing new roles this season. Whitefish head coach Roland Benedict was especially impressed with the mostly young and inexperienced backline that helped hold opponents to few shots. Additionally, senior Maya Lacey, who is in a new role as a deep-lying midfielder, played with confidence.

“She has all the technical quality and tactical knowledge, but it’s about utilizing that in those game moments and executing the correct actions,” Benedict said of Lacey. “She’s continuing to grow in that role, so it’s exciting to see her there.”

“Really, I have to commend the team — the team is believing in the system and the process,” Benedict added.

Against Livingston on Friday, the Bulldogs scored in the 5th minute off a PK by Olivia Genovese. In the 24th minute, Genovese found the back of the net again and just two minutes later Whitefish senior Brooke Roberts scored as well.

As the goals stacked up, Livingston began to look rattled, and just before halftime Whitefish sophomore Delaney Smith rattled off a hat trick within a five-minute span as Whitefish took a 6-0 lead into the break.

In the second half, Isabelle Cooke scored right away; Maddy Muhlfeld hit a PK and Genovese and Smith each scored again before the final whistle.

“We were able to score 10 goals fairly swiftly and got to control the tempo — had a lot of really great performances from a lot of players,” Benedict recalled.

Livingston was one of Whitefish’s biggest challenges from last season, and the Bulldogs came ready to be pushed.

“I was prepared that they were going to be good,” Benedict said. “The girls came out, they were really ready for it, and just showed how dynamic we can be going forward.”

The next day in Big Sky, it took Whitefish a bit to settle into the game but once they did the goals started stacking up again.

Whitefish’s Muhlfeld was the first to score in the game in the 31st minute off an assist from Signe Ebbett. Then Genovese strung up a hat trick, scoring the next three goals and Roberts capped Whitefish’s scoring with a goal in the 75th minute. The goal from Lone Peak was a deflection off a Whitefish Player.

“They had some big, strong, fast, athletic girls… it was a great test,” Benedict said.

The Bulldogs created plenty of chances — 28 shots, 16 on goal — but the coach says there’s still plenty to improve upon.

“We’re not nearly where we want to be as a team, we can still continue to grow,” he said.

This week Whitefish enters conference play facing Northwest A teams Libby and Polson. Results from conference games are really what determines postseason seeding, and Benedict says the team is ready for the challenge.

“It will be exciting to have something on the line,” Benedict said.

Whitefish will host Libby on Thursday at Smith Fields with a 4 p.m. start time. The Bulldogs will play in Polson on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Whitefish 10, Livingston 0

WF — Olivia Genovese 5:00

WF — Genovese (Maddy Muhlfeld) 24:00

WF — Brooke Roberts (Genovese) 26:00

WF — Delaney Smith (Maya Lacey) 35:00

WF — Smith (Muhlfeld) 38:00

WF — Smith (Sadie Olson) 40:00

WF — Isabelle Cooke (Signe Ebbett) 41:00

WF — Muhlfeld (penalty kick) 52:00

WF — Genovese (free kick) 67:00

WF — Smith (Olson) 75:00

Shots — Livingston 12, WF 32; Goalie saves — Livingston 19, WF 8 (Norah Schmidt); Corner kicks — Livingston 2, WF 5; Fouls —Livingston 6, WF 12.

Whitefish 5, Lone Peak 1

WF — Maddy Muhlfeld (Signe Ebbett) 31:00

WF — Olivia Genovese (Brooke Roberts) 37:00

WF — Genovese (Maya Lacey) 47:00

WF — Genovese (Delaney Smith) 60:00

WF — Roberts (Smith) 75:00

Shots — LP 26, WF 31; Goalie saves — LP 16, WF 16; Corner kicks — LP 3, WF 4; Fouls — LP 3, WF 9.