Shutout puts girls soccer in semis
<p>Whitefish's Anna Peterson (right) celebrates a goal with Jess Baldonado Saturday afternoon during Whitefish's matchup against Livingston in the first round of the Class A playoffs at Smith Fields in Whitefish. Oct. 19, 2013 in Whtiefish, Montana. (Patrick Cote/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
A nearly impermeable defense led the way as the Whitefish girls soccer team posted a shutout Saturday at home to advance to the semi-finals of the Class A state soccer tournament.
Whitefish hit the net in the first half against Park High of Livingston and held on for the 1-0 victory.
The match was a battle from the first whistle.
“We knew it would be back and forth,” Whitefish coach Wendy Farrens said. “It was high energy with lots of passion.”
“We knew they would be athletic and dynamic, but we stayed composed and put our game plan to work.”
In the 36th minute, Jess Baldonado won the ball at midfield, made a run down the sideline and crossed it toward the net. Anna Peterson one-touched her shot into the corner of the goal.
“A text book play,” Farrens said. “It was pretty nice.”
Whitefish would have a few more chances on goal, but Peterson’s score was all they would need as their defensive held Park to only five shots on goal.
“Our defense did a great job of containing them,” Farrens said. “The back line stepped up for us.”
Whitefish hosts Frenchtown on Saturday. Frenchtown advanced with a 6-5 victory over Laurel.
Farrens says Frenchtown plays a similar style to Park High — athletic and physical.
“We will prepare for that,” she said. “We enjoyed our win, but now we have to refocus and set our sights on Frenchtown.”
Livingston 0 0 — 0
Whitefish 1 0 — 1
WHITEFISH — Anna Peterson (assist Jess Baldonado), 36:00
Shots on goal - Livingston 5, Whitefish 15. Saves - Livingston N/A (Olga Mogen), Whitefish 3 (Piper Greenwood). Corner kicks - Livingston 1, Whitefish 3. Fouls - Livingston 9, Whitefish 5. Cards - None.