The Lady Bulldogs came away with a 1-0 win in the first round of the Class A soccer playoffs against Hamilton on Saturday. 

The Lady Bulldogs advanced after scoring the match’s lone goal on a penalty kick in the second half. 

“Today was a close and windy match on turf but we were gaining momentum with a strong push from Sadie Olson and Delaney Smith,” said Head Coach Kelly Ordway. “We had the wind behind us in the second half and went in confident and focused.” 

With just 8 minutes left in the game, striker Smith was fouled in the box, resulting in the penalty kick. While Smith is the team’s primary penalty kick taker, she needed to leave the field to be checked for an injury, so Charlize Ullrich stepped up and sank the shot. 

Whitefish defender Macie Schmidt subbed off with an ankle sprain.  

Ordway had many kudos to distribute to the Lady Bulldog team. 

“Anna Guzman, Truth Baxter and Madi Gordon distributed the ball well in the midfield and sophomore Anna Boysen utilized her speed on the wing,” Ordway said. “Sage Ordway was noted as being key on defense for the shutout along with defenders Charlize Ullrich, Grace Sliman, Charlotte Perkins, Georgia Morell and goalkeeper Jackie Solem.” 

The Whitefish coach also noted that Hamilton has a strong attack and a solid goalkeeper. 

“We are excited to keep training to compete in the semifinals next Saturday,” she added. 

Whitefish will go on the road again to face Laurel on Saturday, Oct. 26. Laurel won its game against Bigfork, 3-0. The Columbia Falls Wildkats will play Billings Central in Billings on Saturday. 

Whitefish v Hamilton 

Fouls: Whitefish 11, Hamilton 4. Corner Kicks: Whitefish 1, Hamilton 4. Goalkeeper Saves: Whitefish Jackie Solem 6, Hamilton Mia Faulk 5. Shots on Goal: Whitefish 5, Hamilton 6.