Kats lose to Libby, Whitefish as playoff hopes dim

It was a decidedly topsy-turvy week of soccer for the Columbia Falls girls and now they'll probably have to win their remaining games to have a shot at the playoffs.

On Saturday, the Kats beat Polson 3-1 to secure a conference win. McKenzie Kiser had three assists and frosh Danielle Delventhal scored first at the 26 minute mark, followed by McKenzie Reeve a couple of minutes later to open the game up.

Cedar Jordt rounded out the scoring with a goal with just two minutes to play to secure the victory.

The offense finally gelled. They had a string of games where the shots either went wide or directly at the goalie.

On Thursday, the girls had a solid effort against Whitefish, dominating the Dogs in the first half and outshooting them 17-12.

But the Dogs scored on a corner kick 64 minutes into the game to get the win.

"That was the difference in the match," said coach Greg Trenerry. The Kats have had problems clearing corner kicks all season long. It's something they've been working on in practice.

Cats forward McKenzie Reeve had a breakaway chance as time nearly expired to tie the game, but her shot went was stopped by the Dog keeper Madisen Cross.

Despite the loss, the Kats had their best defensive effort of the year and Madison Sandefer in particular stepped her game up nicely.

On Tuesday the Kats lost to Libby 6-3, complicating their playoff hopes. Without the win, they'll probably need to win out all their games, including their last game home against Whitefish.

The game was tied 1-1 in the first half, but Libby made it 2-1 at the 30 minute mark and then scored three minutes into the second half to open it up 3-1.

McKenzie Kizer scored twice for the Kats and McKenzie Reeve once in the last minute of the match.

Columbia Falls 0 0 - 0

Whitefish 0 1 - 1

Shots on goal - Columbia Falls 17, Whitefish 12

Corner kicks - Columbia Falls 5, Whitefish 9

Goalie saves - Columbia Falls 8 (Niesha Thompson), Whitefish 8 (Madisen Cross)

Fouls - Columbia Falls 2, Whitefish 1

Polson 0 1 - 1

Columbia Falls 2 1 - 3

CF - Danielle Delventhal (McKenzie Kiser), 26:00

CF - McKenzie Reeve (Kiser), 28:00

P - Madeline Hewston, 57:00

CF - Cedar Jordt (Kiser) 78:00

Shots on goal - Polson 5, Columbia Falls 14. Saves - Polson 6 (Jacie Morrison), Columbia Falls 4 (Kira Kamrud). Corner kicks - Polson 4, Columbia Falls 15. Total fouls - Polson 2, Columbia Falls 4. Yellow cards - Columbia Falls 1. Red cards - none.

Columbia Falls 1 2 — 3

Libby 2 4 — 6

COLUMBIA FALLS — McKenzie Kizer, 14:00; Kizer, 72:00; McKenzie Reeve, 79:00

LIBBY — Jaime Gilden, 10:00; Gilden (Anna Valentine), 30:00; Valentine, 43:00; Valentine 53:00, Valentine 61:00; Gilden (Valentine) 75:00

Shots on goal — Columbia Falls 15, Libby 15

Goalie saves — Columbia Falls 6 (Niesha Thompson 4, Kira Kamrud 2), Libby 8 (Audra Poppen 5, Jenny Johnson 3)

Corner kicks — Columbia Falls 7, Libby 6

Fouls — Columbia Falls 5, Libby 9

Cards — Libby, yellow