Girls soccer stays undefeated in conference
<p>Whitefish junior Grace Kurtz makes a run in a nonconference match Saturday against Stevensville.</p>
The Lady Bulldog soccer team kept its winning streak going last week with a pair of impressive victories over Polson and Stevensville.
Whitefish (7-1, 4-0) has not lost a match since its season-opener in Hamilton. They remain the only unbeaten team in Northwestern A play.
“We’re feeling good and riding some positive momentum,” Whitefish coach Wendy Farrens said. “We have good energy throughout the team.”
At Polson on Sept. 24, the Lady Dogs used a strong first half to down the Lady Pirates 4-2 for a conference win.
Jess Baldanado opened the scoring in the 8th minute off an assist from Anna Peterson.
Polson put in the equalizer three minutes later, but Whitefish responded in the 17th minute when Peterson hit the net. Grace Kurtz added another just before the half to give Whitefish a two-goal cushion.
Polson narrowed the lead to 3-2 early in the second half, before Haley Nicholson put in an insurance goal in the 66th minute.
At home against Stevensville, the teams battled to a 1-1 tie in the first half. The Yellowjackets tallied first, but Nicholson countered in the 37th minute with a rocket from the top of the box that sailed past the keeper’s reach.
Whitefish broke open the tight match with flurry of goals in the second half.
“We regrouped at the half and talked about how we need to capitalize on our chances,” Farrens said.
Nicholson assisted Grace Kurtz in the 52nd minute to put Whitefish on top. Peterson scored again in the 64th minute and Baldonado capped the match with another goal in the 68th minute.
Nicholson leads the team in scoring and has put in a goal in every match this season. She also has five assists. Peterson has six goals and six assists.
“We’re lucky to have so much depth on the front line,” Farrens said.
Farrens credited the seniors for keeping the team focused.
“All of the seniors have been a positive influence on the field,” Farrens said.
“Each week we set out with the goal to improve. We’re taking the season game by game, improving on the little things and turning that into results.”
Whitefish hosted Polson on Tuesday. They play at Libby on Thursday.
Stevensville 1 0 – 1
Whitefish 1 3 – 4
S – Carly Sebastian, 30:00
W – Haley Nicholson (Anna Peterson), 37:00
W – Grace Kurtz (Nicholson), 52:00
W – Anna Peterson (Nicholson), 64:00
W – Jess Baldonado (Julia Houston), 68:00
Shots on goal – Stevensville 9, Whitefish 18. Corner kicks – Stevensville 0, Whitefish 2. Saves – Stevensville 2 (Evie Titlady), Whitefish 3 (Piper Greenwood). Yellow cards – none. Red cards – none.
Whitefish 3 1 – 4
Polson 1 1 – 2
W – Jess Baldanado (Anna Peterson), 8:00
P – Tessa Nunlist (Sarah Howell), 11:00
W – Peterson (Haley Nicholson), 17:00
W – Grace Kurtz (Peterson), 39:00
P – Howell, 43:00
W – Nicholson (Kurtz), 66:00
Shots on goal – Whitefish 11, Polson 13. Corner kicks – Whitefish 6, Polson 2. Saves – Whitefish 12 (Piper Greenwood 12), Polson 12 (Jenna Evertz 12). Total fouls – Whitefish 4, Polson 1. Yellow cards – none. Red cards – none.