Whitefish blanks Belgrade, 3-0

WHITEFISH - Whitefish earned a trip to the girls Class A state championship soccer match on Saturday by defeating Belgrade 3-0 in semifinal play at Smith Fields.

Sam Dittman, Presley Pritchard and Lottie Kamarath all scored goals for Whitefish (12-2-0).

Kamarath had a huge hand in the victory as she also assisted on the other two scores.

The match was called with 16 minutes left in play following a head-to-head collision between two Belgrade players in front of the Panthers' goal.

"The ball ricocheted off the crossbar, they were trying to clear it out," Whitefish coach Erin Morrison said.

"They collided so hard it knocked one of the players out completely."

Morrison said play was stopped for approximately 15 minutes to attend to the injured players. One was taken off the field by ambulance.

"Their coach decided to end the game," Morrison said.

"The coach said they weren't emotionally able to continue."

Since there was less than 20 minutes left in play, the referee informed Morrison the match was considered complete.

"A weird way to end a game," Morrison said.

"I feel for both (Belgrade) players.

"Our hearts go out to the girls," she added.

"That's a tough way to end a game, especially a season. That's hard to swallow."

Whitefish, which has not allowed a goal in postseason play, posted its ninth shutout of season. Callie Marsh and Madisen Cross shared the keeper duties on Saturday.

Whitefish outshot Belgrade 19-2 and led in corner kicks 5-0.

Dittman came into the semifinals with 14 assists. The goal for Pritchard was her 15th this fall.

"Sam and Lottie played out of their minds today," Morrison said of her two center-mids.

"They got it. It was now or never. We're excited for next week."

Whitefish will play at undefeated Billings Central on Friday or Saturday.

"It's unfortunate," Morrison said to end a match like that. "We were excited, happy for the win, but in the end we feel for Belgrade. We just hope that player recovers well."

Belgrade 0 0 - 0

Whitefish 2 1 - 3

WHITEFISH - Sam Dittman (Lottie Kamarath), 14:00; Presley Pritchard (Kamarath), 38:00; Kamarath (Dittman), 57:00.

Shots on goal - Belgrade 2, Whitefish 19; Corner kicks - Belgrade 0, Whitefish 5; Goalie saves - Belgrade 3 (Harper Jakob), Whitefish 0 (Callie Marsh, Madisen Cross); Fouls - Belgrade 3, Whitefish 2; Cards - NA.

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Billings Central 0 1 - 1

Hamilton 0 0 - 0

BILLINGS CENTRAL - Jaelene Zygmond (Jackie Elliott), 59:00

Shots on goal - Central 18, Hamilton 9. Saves - Central 8 (Hadley Ryan), Hamilton 10 (Ali Stahl). Corner kicks - Central 4, Hamilton 1. Total fouls - Central 6, Hamilton 7. Yellow cards - Central 1. .