Girls handle Libby, but lose to Lady Bulldogs
Nancy Underdahl | Hungry Horse News | UPDATED 26 minutes AGO
Tatiana Raymond with an assist on Columbia Falls only goal against Whitefish.
The Columbia Falls girls soccer team had a mixed performance this past week, going 1-1 in North conference play. They had the upper hand against Libby, from start to finishing easily winning 10-0 on Thursday. However, the Whitefish Bulldogs managed to break the Cats winning streak with a 2-1 win over the Wildcats on the road.
June Johnston would lead the team with four gaols against the Lady Loggers. Mikaela Markle would contribute two goals as well.
“We really emphasized starting fast against Libby after having some slow starts in the previous games. The girls got that done with 8 goals in the first half. I thought June really put on a show and it was exciting to see Piper Holm get her first goal of the year,” said head coach Thomas Clark of the Libby game.
Columbia Falls outshot Libby 19-1.
The game of the week, though, would be the battle at the Dog park between the Cats and Whitefish.
The game was a draw after the first half as no one found the back of the net.
In the second, Whitefish’s speedy Atley Bingham managed to break the defense and would place it in the back of the net at the 51st and 57th minutes.
The Cats, led by Piper Holm, managed to respond with Tatiana Raymond’s assist shortly after the 58th minute, but they couldn’t get another score before the final whistle sounded.
“The girls showed a lot of grit and toughness to come back and give themselves a chance at the end. Ultimately, we didn’t finish our chances at the level we needed to come out with a result,” said Clark.
The Lady Bulldogs outshot the Kats 15-7, and goalkeeper Medora Dahlstrom made 13 saves during the match, some of which were point-blank shots she managed to turn away.
“Whitefish is a good team and Bingham is a special player. We will go back, watch the film, and make the corrections we need to make to prepare for the games we have this week,” said Clark on this upcoming week’s play action.
The girls faced Thompson Falls at home after presstime Tuesday and then are on the road at Bigfork Thursday with a 5 p.m. start.