C-Falls boys defeat Whitefish to win North A
WHITEFISH — Columbia Falls clinched the Northern A conference title with a 2-1 victory over Whitefish on Tuesday evening.
The Wildcats struck first in the 25th minute when Whitefish scored an own goal. Jack Harris added another goal in the 50th minute off a pass from Brady Bell, extending the lead 2-0.
The match grew physical, with three Wildcats and Two Bulldogs earning yellow cards.
Another own goal occurred in the 58th minute, this time coming from the Wildcats side, giving the Bulldogs life. But goalie Brady Heitz protected the victory with 13 saves for Columbia Falls in the end.
'We never stopped believing in these young men. The Bulldogs are always our toughest opponent, and they always give us all we can handle. Said Columbia Falls coach O’Brien Byrd. “For nine new faces to our starting lineup this year, these Wildcats have developed into one tough team to beat. We've won ten games in a row, and this team is just now peaking.'
Columbia Falls 1 1 - 2
Whitefish 0 1 - 1
CF—Own goal, 25:00
CF —Jack Harris (Brady Bell), 50:00
W—Own goal, 58:00
Shots on goal —Columbia Falls 12, Whitefish 14. Keeper Saves —Columbia Falls (Brady Heitz) 13, Whitefish (Brady Heitz) 8. Corner kicks — Columbia Falls 3, Whitefish 4. Fouls — Columbia Falls 11, Whitefish 7.
Columbia Falls girls 1, Whitefish 1
WHITEFISH — The Whitefish and Columbia Falls girls' soccer teams ended in a 1-1 draw Tuesday night in a tightly contested matchup between the rival schools.
After a scoreless first half, freshman Ayla Mosher gave Whitefish the lead in the 65th minute, capitalizing on a fumble from Wildcats goalkeeper Elania Dorr to slot home the first goal of the match.
Just nine minutes later, Riley Byrd buried a powerful strike from outside the 18-yard box to even the score at 1-1 in the 74th minute.
Whitefish freshman defender Neva Sliman earned respect from her peers in her relentless work ethic, speed, and tenacity on the back line to shut down several Wildcat attacks. Midfielder Atley Bingham also stood out for her poise and distribution to the midfield.
Both teams generated plenty of offense with Whitefish outshooting Columbia Falls 11-9 on goal. Goalkeepers were key for both sides — senior Jackie Solem made nine saves for the Bulldogs, while Dorr tallied 11.
Columbia Falls 0 1 - 1
Whitefish 0 1 - 1
CF—Ayla Mosher, 65:00
CF —Riley Byrd, 74:00
Shots on goal —Columbia Falls 9, Whitefish 11. Keeper Saves —Columbia Falls (Elania Dorr) 11, Whitefish (Jackie Solem) 9. Corner kicks — Columbia Falls 2, Whitefish 3. Fouls — Columbia Falls 1, Whitefish 2.