Girls soccer team displays ‘heart and grit' with tie, win

It was a classic battle when the Whitefish Lady Bulldogs met the Columbia Falls Wildkats last week at Smith Fields. The teams fought to a 3-3 tie.

The crowd was treated to a game full of skill and determination as the two evenly matched teams took the field. 

Columbia Falls scored first with a long, lofted shot by Evie Dorr in the 9th minute. Whitefish striker Delaney Smith took a pass from Charlize Ullrich and scored to go into halftime at 1-1. 

The Kats’ Riley Byrd and Taylor Rodgers scored in the second half and held the lead until late in the game. 

“Our defense played strong, but they snuck two goals in on us and we were down 3-1 with 8 minutes remaining,” Ordway said. “Macie Schmidt was driving the ball out of defense with speed and Taylor Dorvall was playing full blast which helped keep up our intensity and focus.” 

The Lady Bulldogs got the crowd to their feet with their determined play that amped up when the team was down by two. Senior midfielder Georgia Morrell scored from distance in the 73rd minute to close the gap. With just two minutes remaining in regulation, Whitefish scored a beauty. 

“We continued to press the attack. Delaney Smith cut back a beautiful pass to Anna Guzman who put the ball in the net to tie the game,” said Ordway. “The Lady Bulldogs played with heart and grit to end with a tie that felt like a win.” 

THE TEAM traveled to Thompson Falls on Saturday and came home with a 9-3 win.  

The Blue Hawks scored first and had a 2-0 lead early in the game after Katherine Wrobleski scored two of her three goals. 

“A couple defensive errors allowed early goals to be scored against us,” Coach Kelly Ordway said. “We distributed the ball well, stayed focused and gained momentum.” 

Madi Gordon and Smith each scored before halftime to even things up going into the break.  

In the second half, Sadie Olson assisted Smith for two more goals and Gordon netted her second. Ordway said Gordon had great movement off the ball and positioned herself well. 

Wrobleski posted her third goal, bringing the score to 5-3 midway through the second half. It was the Bulldogs’ game from there on out as Smith notched two more, bringing her total to five. 

“Delaney Smith has a knack for making it look easy to put the ball in the net,” Ordway said.  

Whitefish’s Olson and senior midfielder, Truth Baxter, each scored. 

“Seniors Charlize Ullrich and Charlotte Perkins stepped to the ball well and played consistently on defense,” Ordway said. “Truth Baxter was a central transition point in between our defense and offense while also notching a goal." 

Whitefish plays Libby at home at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 26. They will meet Bigfork at Smith Fields on Tuesday, Oct. 1, at 5 p.m. 

Sept. 17, Columbia Falls v Whitefish 

Shots on goal: Columbia Falls 22, Whitefish 15. Keeper saves: Columbia Falls, Eric Burguiere 12, Whitefish, Jacie Solem 19. Corner kicks: Columbia Falls 1, Whitefish 1. Fouls: Columbia Falls 5, Whitefish 11

Sept. 21, Whitefish v Thompson Falls  

Shots: Whitefish 24, Thompson Falls 7. Fouls: Whitefish 5, Thompson Falls 3. Corner Kicks: Whitefish 5, Thompson Falls 0. Goalkeeper Saves: Whitefish Madi Stanwood 4, Thompson Falls Callie McGillis 3 

    Bulldog freshman Gracie Sliman dribbles past Wildkat Taryn Borgen at the crosstown game last week. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Columbia Falls midfielder Evie Dorr and Whitefish defender Charlilze Ullrich race for the ball at the game last week. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)