Whitefish girls capsize Lady Pirates

Big showdowns with Libby and C-Falls loom, playoff seeding not determined yet

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

The Lady Bulldogs made a big statement on Friday, blowing the Polson Lady Pirates out of the water 9-1 in a Northwestern A soccer matchup.

Seven different Whitefish girls got a shot in the bucket as Whitefish out shot Polson 23-2. No fewer than 10 girls were involved in assisting on goals.

Whitefish goalkeeper Callie Marsh only had to make one save the entire game. Polson's Jordan Hinshaw got her team on the board in the 47th minute to avoid the shutout, but for the most part, it was all Lady Bulldogs in this game.

"It was kind of surprising. It didn't feel like a 9-1 game," head coach Lini Reading said. "Polson just lost track of us in front of the net."

Reading said that overall, she was pleased with her team's performance. She can still find things that her team needs to work on, however, because they gave up the one goal.

"Once we get to the playoffs, that one coal could cost us the season," she said. "We're trying to fix that. It's the one goal we're struggling with."

Reading said the key for her team was getting Heather Melcer back on the field for the first time all year after a knee injury.

"It was emotional and happy for her to get back in the game," Reading said. "She's been really working hard to get herself ready. I was excited to get her back on the field."

Freshman Natalie Gayner took an assist from her older sister Teal for the first of her two goals in the game. The younger Gayner, who stands at all of five feet tall with her cleats on, may be one of the quickest players in the conference for her size.

Meagan Powell, playing with a shoulder injury, came into the game long enough to take an assist from Teal Gayner for another goal. Junior varsity player Linnaea Keane got her first varsity goal off an assist from Kelsey McCluskey.

"Polson never gave up. They fought for the ball all over the field," Reading said. "For us to be able to maintain intensity even with that big of a lead is very important for us. We had to, because Polson made us work so hard."

The Lady Bulldogs have two games remaining in the regular season, and both are huge. They face their cross-valley rivals, the Columbia Falls Wildkats, at home on Thursday.

On Saturday, they face the Libby Lady Loggers at high noon in a showdown of Northwestern A powerhouses. Both teams are sitting atop the standings in the conference, and the winner will likely attain home-field advantage for the playoffs.

"You have to play regardless of the circumstances," Reading said. "We will be ready."

Whitefish 3 6 - 9

Polson 0 1 - 1

Whitefish — Carly Lengstorf (Natalie Gayner), 20:00; Kelsey McCluskey, 30:00; Hannah Long (Heather Melcer), 40:00; Meagan Powell (Teal Gayner), 46:00; Natalie Gayner (Teal Gayner), 53:00; Carly Lengstorf (Meredith Reed), 63:00; Linnaea Keane (McCluskey), 69:00; Natalie Gayner (Jordan Carper), 71:00; Carper (Melcer), 76:00

Polson —Jordan Hinshaw 47:00

Shots on goal— Whitefish 23, Polson 2

Goalies saves — Whitefish 1 (Callie Marsh), Polson 10 (Kaci Morrison)

Corner kicks — Whitefish 4, Polson 0

Fouls — Whitefish 9, Polson 6

Cards — None