WHITEFISH - Columbia Falls came out on top 4-3 in a back-and-forth rivalry soccer matchup that featured the top two teams in the Northern Class A Conference.

Columbia Falls (5-1, 3-0) jumped ahead early with a goal by Julia Burgi that came after an assist by Danielle Delventhal in the sixth minute.

The Bulldogs didn't wait long to respond.

Megan Danzcyk put the ball in the net two minutes later for Whitefish and Mackenzie Thomas followed in the 14th minute with a goal of her own to put the Bulldogs ahead 2-1.

Burgi struck again for Columbia Falls in the 35th minute to lock the game up at halftime. Madison Sandefer, who assisted Burgi on her second score, found the back of the net in the 59th minute to retake the lead.

"We made a couple mistakes in the first half, but we answered both times," Columbia Falls coach Greg Trenerry said. "The girls never gave up and we responded every time."

Three minutes later, Delventhal scored to make the lead 4-2.

Then it was Whitefish's turn to respond.

Caroline Carbo scored in the 66th minute after a corner kick by Kayla Simmes.

"It was back-and-forth," said Whitefish coach Wendy Farrens. "They put two up on us and we were able to get one back."

But Columbia Falls' defense held for the final minutes of the game to earn the hard-fought victory.

"We played a really good second half," Trenerry said. "I'm really proud of them."

The two teams will meet again Oct. 6 in Columbia Falls.

Whitefish (3-2, 2-1) hosts Libby Sept. 24. Columbia Falls hosts Bigfork today at 3:30 p.m.

Columbia Falls 2 2 - 4

Whitefish 2 1 - 3

COLUMBIA FALLS - Julia Burgi (Danielle Delventhal), 6:00; Burgi (Madison Sandefer), 35:00; Sandefer (Delventhal), 59:00; Delventhal, 62:00

WHITEFISH - Megan Danzcyk (Natalie Gayner), 4:00; Mackenzie Thomas (Madison Grady), 14:00; Caroline Carbo (Kayla Simmes), 66:00

Shots - Columbia Falls 19, Whitefish 17

Saves - Columbia Falls 6 (Kira Kamrud), Whitefish 12 (Pepper Greenwood)

Corners - Columbia Falls 5, Whitefish, 3

Fouls - Columbia Falls 5, Whitefish 3

Cards - no cards

Boys

Whitefish 7,

Columbia Falls 1

WHITEFISH - The Bulldogs scored early and often in a pounding of Northern Class A rival Columbia Falls.

Whitefish junior Sam Donaldson had three goals, including back-to-back unassisted scores in the 41st and 42nd minute. He also had an assist.

Junior Curran Edland had two goals and an assist and Mark Stormes added a goal and an assist.

Whitefish out-shot Columbia Falls 16-1.

Columbia Falls' score came from Talen Stringer on an assist from Caleb Baumann in the 20th minute.

Whitefish (5-2-0, 3-0-0) hosts Libby Sept. 24. Columbia Falls (1-5-0, 1-2-0) plays at Stillwater Christian Tuesday.

Columbia Falls 1 0 - 1

Whitefish 3 4 - 7

COLUMBIA FALLS - Talen Stringer (Caleb Baumann), 20:00

WHITEFISH - Curran Edland (Matty McCrone), 18:00; Sam Donaldson (Nathan Boone), 20:00; Edland (Nick Jack), 28:00; Mark Stormes (Donaldson), 41:00; Donaldson, 42:00; Donaldson, 49:00; Boone (Stormes), 56:00.

Shots - Columbia Falls 1, Whitefish 16

Goalie saves - 11 (Mason Gedlaman), 1 (Thomas Clark 0, Chance Ling 1)

Corners - Columbia Falls 1, Whitefish 3

Fouls - Columbia Falls 9, Whitefish 8

Cards - none