SOCCER: Whitefish kicks off season with win at Bigfork
<p>Whitefish captain Haley Nicholson gets past Bigfork defender Jordan Nelson during the Bulldogs' 4-1 victory in Bigfork on Tuesday. Nicholson scored three goals in the contest. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
<p>Whitefish defender Lexie Carbo and Bigfork midfielder Madison Gardner chase after a ball during the Bulldogs' 4-1 victory in Bigfork on Tuesday. (Aaric Bryan/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
BIGFORK — Whitefish senior Haley Nicholson will be the center of attention for opposing defenses all year for the Bulldogs girls soccer team.
She showed why on Tuesday afternoon, netting a hat trick as the Bulldogs (1-0) ran away with a 4-1 victory at Northwest A conference foe Bigfork (0-1).
Bigfork started the game fast, using its athleticism to keep pace with Whitefish and shut down the Bulldog passing game, winning its share of 50-50 balls.
Once the game calmed down, Whitefish took control, beginning with a goal from Nicholson on a feed from Audrey Hyatt.
Nicholson was the helper in the second goal before halftime, setting up Melissa Pollard for her first goal of the season.
Nicholson added a pair of goals after the halftime break, the first on an assist from Pollard and the other on her own.
Bigfork’s Madison Gardner added an unassisted goal late but time ran out on a Valkyries comeback.
Whitefish outshot Bigfork 22-5 in the win forcing the Valkyries keeper to make 10 saves.
Whitefish 2 2 — 4
Bigfork 0 1 — 1
W—Haley Nicholson (Audrey Hyatt)
W—Melissa Pollard (Nicholson)
W—Nicholson (Pollard)
W—Nicholson (unassisted)
B—Madison Gardner (unassited)