Lady 'Dogs cruise past Stevensville
Consider this a warning shot.
The Lady Bulldogs soccer club romped over Stevensville 9-0 in their season opener Friday, sending a clear message to the Class A league that this team is "for real."
"We showed the state that we mean business," Lady Bulldog coach Erin Morrison said.
Senior Presley Pritchard tallied a hat trick and six different girls scored in the match at Stevensville.
"That's a coach's dream," Morrison said. "It means we are working together and that everyone is doing their part."
The 'Dogs put five in the net in the first half and kept up the intensity in the second half with a barrage of long-range shots. Along with Pritchard, juniors Natalie Gayner and Sam Dittman, and freshman Caroline Carbo each tallied goals in the second half.
"It's good to see the girls didn't let up," Morrison said. "They came out of the half with a sense of urgency."
The play of the game came when Jordan Carper won the ball at midfield and sent a pass down the right sideline to junior Michela Millette. Millette placed a prefect cross in front of Stevensville's goal where Pritchard came in for a header and put it in the back of the net.
"No one could stop that goal," Morrison said. "It was textbook execution."
The coach acknowledged the defensive line in the shutout, noting that the club features three 'very strong backs."
"We aren't stabbing at the ball," Morrison said. "We're making smart plays."
Whitefish went with a three-back set at Stevensville and pushed seven players up front with overwhelming offensive pressure. It's a risk the coach is willing to take with the confidence she has in the defensive.
"Mackenzie Thomas is reading the game so much better this year," Morrison said. "We are dictating the play of game."
She noted that Carper will likely fall back into a stopper role in tighter matches, which could be as soon as this week.
The club looks forward to a showdown with defending state champion Billings Central on Friday at Smith Fields.
"That's going to be a good game," Morrison said.
Kick-off is slated for 4 p.m.
Whitefish 5 4 - 9
Stevensville 0 0 - 0
WF - Jordan Carper, 10:00
WF - Presley Pritchard (Natalie Gayner), 19:00
WF - Gayner 22:00
WF - Charlotte Kamarach 31:00
WF - Pritchard (Caroline Carbo), 33:00
WF - Pritchard, 52:00
WF - Gayner (Ann Carpenter), 64:00
WF - Sam Dittman (Carpenter), 75:00
WF - Carbo 80:00
Shots on goal - Whitefish 27, Stevensville 1. Saves - Whitefish 1 (Madisen Cross 1), Stevensville 16 (Anna Tom 12). Corner kicks - Whitefish 3, Stevensville 0. Total fouls - Whitefish 0, Stevensville 2. Yellow cards - Whitefish 1. Red cards - none.