Whitefish Pilot

Cross-valley game puts Whitefish in second standingBy CHRISTINE HENSLEIGH

Last week's cross valley match-up between the Whitefish 'Dogs and the Columbia Falls 'Kats was akin to hand to hand combat. The boys emerged with a 1-1 tie, the girls lost 2-0.

The intensely physical game took its toll. Columbia Falls girls' team came out raging, and Whitefish never quite hit its stride. Injuries also hampered their game- by the end of play, four Whitefish players (Emily Jones, Amy Wright, Lindsay Smith and Sara Widdifield) had fallen to injury.

"It was disappointing, but you have to tip your hat to the Columbia Falls. Those girls played a good game," observed Coach Lini Reading.

In a rivalry that encompasses friendships between players and fans, the victor is usually the one that believes.

"One team always comes more mentally prepared. Columbia Falls was full of confidence, and they made it count," noted Reading, "This was nowhere near our best game of the year."

The team will look to redeem themselves against Libby in a Saturday away game.

"We need to play with more composure," Reading explained, "Which I know we can."

Currently, the Whitefish girls team is in second in conference standing on the road to the state tournament.

The boys' game came close to being a rematch of the state play-offs. The same two teams faced off on the same field, only this time there was no obvious victor.

Despite a second half where Whitefish dominated the ball, Columbia Falls snuck in a late breaking goal following a free kick in the 77th minute of play.

"They put it in during the dying minutes of the game," said Coach O'Brien Byrd, adding that last minute scores are part of the drama of soccer.

Byrd commended the entire team's performance, but heaped special kudos on the defensive squad of David Hobbs, Nate Breese, Conner Brown, Jimmy Deats and Taylor Schwickert.

"It was great to see our players with that look in their eye. They were going to do what had to be done," observed Byrd, who added that fan support was a factor during the game.

"It was a tremendous performance by my boys. And that's what it will take to see this through."

Whitefish falls to second place in the conference, which still leaves plenty of room for a state tournament berth.

The tie also adds even more excitement on the final game and conference match-up between Columbia Falls and Whitefish, scheduled this Tuesday.

"It places more emphasis on that final game of the season (next Tuesday against Columbia Falls)," Byrd noted.

Whitefish will take on Libby this Saturday; the boys play at noon; the girls play at 3:00 p.m.

Everything goes on the line at the final conference match against Columbia Falls on Tues, Oct. 12; boys play at noon; the girls take the field at 4:30 p.m.