Girls soccer: Billings Central nips Whitefish

BILLINGS — A pair of second-half goals pushed  Billings Central past Whitefish 2-1 on Saturday in girls Class A semifinal soccer playoff action.

Whitefish held a 1-0 lead for 50-plus minutes on a 30-yard shot by Cassidy Grady. Her goal came in the 18th minute after Billings Central cleared a corner kick by Whitefish (11-4-0) and the Bulldogs quickly regained possession of the ball.

Billings Central’s Allie Lucas tied the match at 52 minutes and Holly Davison drilled the game-winning goal at 72 minutes.

“We came out strong and really put the pressure on them,” Whitefish coach Wendy Farrens said.

“We didn’t get too many shots on goal. They are an excellent team, well coached. We tried our best.”

Billings Central (14-0-0) outshot Whitefish 26-6 and held an edge in corner kicks, 11-2.

 “The best we played all year,” Farrens said.

“All the girls played their hearts out. Piper Greenwood had a really strong game. An awesome team effort.

“We’re keeping our heads high,” Farrens said.

“It’s a really tough loss, especially after being up one. They are four-time defending state champions for a reason.”

Billings Central will play at Columbia Falls (12-1-1) on Saturday for the Class A state championship.

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