Smith Fields was buzzing with excitement as a crowd gathered to watch the Lady Bulldogs play their first home game of the season against the Stevensville Yellowjackets last week. The sunny, warm day with a bit of cloud cover provided near-perfect weather for playing soccer and for spectating. 

The Lady Bulldogs scored six times in the first half, including a hat trick by senior striker Delaney Smith. Smith scored once more in the second half. The final score of the game was 8-0. 

Four players were credited with assists on Smith’s goals, which shows the depth of the team. Seniors Sadie Olson, Brynn Morse and Madi Gordon and sophomore Delila Vine all served up passes to Smith that resulted in goals. 

Whitefish winger Olson scored the first goal of the game, at the five-minute mark. 

“Sadie Olson opened up the goals with a beautiful mid-range shot,” said Coach Kelly Ordway. “While Delaney is clearly our main goal scorer, we saw goals from five different players this game.” 

Just 10 minutes after assisting Smith with her fourth goal, Vine scored a goal of her own. 

Rounding out the five goal scorers were Gordon and junior winger Taylor Dorvall, who put the ball in the net after an indirect free kick before halftime. 

“Defense got a clean sheet and provided the team with a strong sense of stability,” Ordway said. 

The game was more exciting than the score reflects and lots of players got game time and experience in a match that saw many substitutions. Whitefish’s style this year is a clever mixture of patient possession and direct play. 

The girls team travels to play Libby on Saturday, Sept. 14. 

 Freshman Grace Sliman dribbles away from her mark at the Stevensville game last week at home. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Whitefish midfielder Delila Vine moves the ball up field against Stevensville last week. (Julie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)