Four-time champs eke past Lady Dogs
The Lady Bulldogs soccer team caught Billings Central with their guard down.
An early goal by Whitefish made the four-time defending champs stagger, but it wasn’t enough to knock them out. Central ended the Dogs’ season Saturday with a 2-1 victory in the Class A state playoff semifinal match.
Whitefish struck first when freshman Cassidy Grady buried a shot from 30 yards out in the 18th minute after a loose ball emerged from a corner kick.
“It’s every defenders dream to launch one into the goal,” Whitefish coach Wendy Farrens said.
Grady’s shot sailed into the far left corner of the net, instantly giving the underdogs momentum. It was only the second goal Central had given up all season and it left them dazed on their home field.
“We needed to come out strong and play physical and put them under pressure and that’s what we did,” Farrens said. “We caught them on their heels.
“We’d been dominating possession. After the goal, they picked up the tempo. It was a wake up call.”
Whitefish would cling to the lead through the first half. Then in the 52nd minute Central hit the equalizer. The game-winner came off a corner kick with 10 minutes on the clock.
The loss marked the second consecutive season where Whitefish has been knocked out of the playoffs in a heartbreaker. Last year they fell in a shoot out with Hamilton.
Still, Farrens was happy with the season and Saturday’s effort.
“The girls played their hearts out and fought until the end,” Farrens said. “It’s tough, but I’m really proud of everyone on the team. They played 100 percent.”
She commended the seniors.
“They’re all great leaders on and off the field,” she said. “They’re ending on a high note despite the loss. It was a tough game and we fought hard. They had a great season and we’re going to miss them.”
Whitefish came into the season as an unknown, but veteran leadership meshed with youthful energy to produce a solid 11-4-0 overall record.
“It was tough to project how the season would go,” Farrens said. “We had a lot of new faces, and being young, maybe we exceeded expectations.”
While Saturday’s loss still stings, Farrens says the future looks bright for Lady Bulldog soccer. Only two starting seniors are set to graduate from this roster, and upcoming freshman look strong.
“Some of the girls coming in as freshman look like impact players,” Farrens said. “That’s due to the hard work everyone puts into the rec league and select and the Flathead Rapids.”
“We’re looking forward to next season.”
Whitefish 1 0 — 1
Billings Central 0 2 — 2
WHITEFISH — Cassidy Grady, 18:00
BILLINGS CENTRAL — Allie Lucas (Sammy Elliott), 52:00; Holly Davison, 72:00
Shots on goal — Whitefish 6, Billings Central 26; Corner kicks — Whitefish 2, Billings Central 11; Goalie saves — Whitefish 26 (Piper Greenwood), Billings Central 4 (Hadley Ryan); Fouls — Whitefish 4, Billings Central 2; Cards — Whitefish, 1 yellow