Lady Bulldogs nip 'Kats in soccer thriller

Whitefish 1, Columbia Falls 0

Becca Strellnauer scored the game-winning goal against rival Columbia Falls on Sept. 24 as the Lady Bulldogs soccer team edged the 'Kats at home for a 1-0 victory.

"It felt like I just won the World Cup," Strellnauer said about knocking in the 'Dogs' lone goal. "It was against our rival team and it's my senior year. It was a great game."

The evenly matched squads played toe-to-toe in a scoreless first half that featured a handful of just-missed shots by Whitefish.

Senior midfielder Strell-nauer finally connected off a corner kick from Sam Dittman at the 64-minute mark.

"Coach had a play set up for the center-mids to stand outside of the box," Strellnauer said after the game. "I ran in and the ball ricocheted off a Columbia Falls player. I hit it, then looked at the goal and it was in the corner of the net."

"Becca coming in with that goal was clutch," head coach Erin Morrison said. "I was really excited for her."

The goal proved to be the game-winner for Whitefish, as the Lady Bulldogs kept the 'Kats off the board for the final 16 minutes.

"We played for 80 minutes and never let up the entire game," Morrison said. "That was something we were trying to work on. It was a high-intensity game and a great win for them."

Morrison said the team played a proactive style of game against Columbia Falls, which was ignited by the defensive unit.

"The defense was strong," she said. "Nothing got through. Madisen Cross did a great job of talking and holding the defensive line."

She said senior defender Megan Apple stepped up her game and didn't allow the 'Kats any easy opportunities on goal.

Whitefish out shot the 'Kats 17-11, while Cross tallied eight saves in the match.

Libby 5, Whitefish 1

Morrison could tell her team wasn't ready to play before the game even started.

"We didn't show up," Morrison said about the Lady Bulldogs 5-1 loss to Libby at home on Sept. 26 in a Northern A showdown between the league's two top teams. "We were on our heels the entire game and were reacting to everything."

Jaime Gilden and Anna Valentine combined for all five of the Lady Loggers' goals, with Valentine scoring three in the first half.

"They have two great players and their goalie is strong," Morrison said.

Despite the lopsided score, Whitefish out shot Libby 18-11 and made a strong push in the second half for a comeback.

Natalie Gayner found the net in the 75th minute off a pass from Meredith Reed to fend off the shutout.

"We won the second half," Morrison said. "Natalie didn't give up, and got a goal with five minutes to play."

The loss dropped White-fish to 3-1-0 in conference play and one game behind Libby for first place.

"We kind of have an uphill battle to get the number one seed for the playoffs," Morrison said. "We have to beat Libby now. But, I think the next match will be much closer."

Whitefish plays at Libby on Oct. 10.

Libby 4 1 - 5

Whitefish 0 1 - 1

L - Jaime Gilden, 8:00

L - Anna Valentine, 15:00

L - Valentine, 30:00

L - Valentine, 38:00

L - Gilden, 62:00.

W - Natalie Gayner (Meredith Reed), 75:00

Shots on goal - Libby 11, Whitefish 18. Saves - Libby 15 (Audra Poppen), Whitefish 5 (Madisen Cross 3, Callie Marsh 2). Corner kicks - Libby 4, Whitefish 5. Total fouls - Libby 8, Whitefish 4. Yellow cards - none. Red cards - none.