Kats squeak by Dogs

Thursday’s Dog-Kat girls soccer game fully lived up to the hype.

Two undefeated teams going toe-to-toe, playoff positioning on the line — and of course, rivalry bragging rights.

After 80 minutes of intense battle, Columbia Falls escaped from Smith Fields with a tight 2-1 victory and sole possession of the top of the conference standings. The Wildkats scored two second-half goals and held off a late charge by the Lady Dogs to get the Northern A win.

“It was a hard fought game,” Whitefish coach Wendy Farrens said. “We had a few more opportunities, but they just found the back of net more often.

“It was awesome to see a good competitive game. The girls get really fired up for these rival games.”

Megan Danczyk tallied Whitefish’s lone goal in the first half. Surrounded by defenders in the penalty box, Danczyk was able to find enough room to fire off a shot that slipped past the keeper.

Columbia Falls’ game-tying goal in the 44th minute was a deflected lob that just barely caught the inside of the crossbar and bounced into the net. Lindsay Strouse’s game-winner in the 68th was a rocket that slipped past the right post.

Whitefish scrambled in the final 10 minutes in search of an equalizer, but failed to find the net after peppering the Kats’ goalkeeper and firing one shot that bounced off the crossbar.

Whitefish travels to Polson on Thursday and looks for revenge against Columbia Falls on the road this Saturday.

“We’re improving each game,” Farrens said. “Hopefully we step on the field against Columbia Falls an even better team.”

Columbia Falls 0 2 – 2

Whitefish 1 0 – 1

W – Megan Danczyk (Caroline Carbo), 39:00

CF – Danielle Delventhal, 44:00

CF – Lindsay Strouse (Alexi Corbett), 68:00

Shots – Columbia Falls 7, Whitefish 10. Saves – Columbia Falls 4 (Kira Kamrud), Whitefish 6 (Piper Greenwood). Corner kicks – Columbia Falls 3, Whitefish 5. Total fouls – unavailable. Yellow cards – none. Red cards – none.