WHS girls take out Central, 3-1

The Daily Inter Lake

BILLINGS - Whitefish was not to be denied.

The Bulldogs gave up an early goal to Billings Central, but answered 17 seconds later to tie the match en route to a 3-1 victory over the Rams for the girls Class A state soccer championship on Saturday.

Billings Central was making its first title appearance while the title was the second for WHS.

Whitefish finished with a 13-2 mark overall, 13-1 against Class A competition. The lone loss was 1-0 to Billings Central (9-6) to begin the season.

Central scored seven minutes into play on a goal by Jessica Camp. Whitefish, however, responded in a hurry with Kaitlyn Sleichter, on a beautiful through ball by Kylee Smith.

"Kaitlyn, she just ripped it home," said WHS coach Lini Reading.

"It was like an answer (to their score)."

Sleichter had to fight the Central keeper for possession and finally won it and scored.

Eight minutes later, Whitefish added another goal when Smith ran to the far post on a Jen Joern Cross.

Whitefish led 2-1 at the half.

Carly Lengstorf completed the scoring with a goal at 53 minutes. Sleichter's through ball set that score up.

"Everybody on the team did what they needed to do, it was a team win," said Reading.

"They played with composure, worked their butts off. Obviously our defense was impeccable, except for the one mistake."

Central's Allie Beckers, who led Class A in scoring this fall with 18 goals, did not get a shot on goal the entire match.

"Megan Powell (sophomore) absolutely shut the kid (Beckers) down," said Reading.

"She was just a rock. She took some abuse, elbows, frustrations from the kid."

Reading said that was the first time Whitefish had marked a player this season.

"It's a nasty job," said Reading of what Powell had to do.

"You don't get to play soccer. All you get to do is shut somebody else down. She (Beckers) was the key."

Whitefish 2 1 - 3

Billings Central 1 0 - 1

Whitefish - Kaitlyn Sleichter (Kylee Smith), 7:19; Smith (Jen Joern), 15:00; Carly Lengstorf (Sleichter), 53:00

Billings Central - Jessica Camp, 7:00

Shots on goal - Whitefish 14, Billings Central 10

Corner kicks - Whitefish 3, Billings Central 4

Goalie saves - Whitefish 8 (Kristin NallyMadigan), Billings Central 12 (Austin Hanser)

Fouls - Whitefish 5, Billings Central 7

Cards - None