Lady Loggers come up just short vs. Whitefish
The result on the scoreboard Saturday may have favored the opponent but the Libby High School girls soccer team had no reason to hang their heads following a 3-2 loss.
Following struggles earlier this season that included a four-game losing streak, the Lady Loggers needed something to turn things around. First-year coach Joel Lewinsohn considered the team’s options.
“We moved some positions around the last two games,” Lewinsohn said. “These moves have had a dramatic effect on the performance of the team.”
One of the primary changes involved the defensive setup. Chelsea Ahart moved from wing to defense. Helena Peterson and Myka Forster also went back to “D.”
“The girls are still young and new and they’re figuring out positions,” Lewinsohn said. “They see the light at the end of the tunnel.”
In Saturday’s meeting, Whitefish took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Megan Danczyk in the 25th minute. Six minutes later, Libby senior Jaime Gilden took control of a bouncing ball and finished to tie the game. Lisa Rios started that sequence with a pass downfield.
The Bulldogs regained the lead in the 35th minute on Danczyk’s second goal. A teammate had taken a shot but missed and Dancyzk picked up the rebound and finished.
Libby kept the deficit at one goal over the rest of the first half. Moments after Dancyzk’s goal, the Bulldogs nearly celebrated again but Libby’s Jenny Johnson came up with a save on a Charlotte Kamarath shot.
The Lady Loggers tied the score just 18 seconds into the second half. Gilden received a setup pass from Ashley Shaw, beat the goalkeeper, controlled the ball with her dribbled and then scored.
In the 50th minute, the Lady Bulldogs again took the lead on Kamarath’s shot through traffic. Whitefish tried to add another goal about five minutes later when Natalie Gayner broke loose for a 1-on-1 situation. However, Forster came from behind to create pressure and Gayner’s shot went right to Johnson.
Libby threatened late but the Bulldogs held on to improve to 4-1 in the league, 7-2 overall.
The Lady Loggers (1-3, 3-5) are fighting with Bigfork for the final playoff spot out of the conference. The team heads to Bigfork on Thursday before hosting Columbia Falls on Saturday.
Whitefish 3, Libby 2
Saturday at Logger Stadium
Scoring by Periods:
Whitefish 2 1—3
Libby 1 1—2
First Half–1, Whitefish, Danczyk, 25th minute. 2, Libby, Gilden, 31st minute. 3, Whitefish, Danczyk, 35th minute.
Second Half–4, Libby, Gilden, 41st minute. 5, Whitefish, Kamarath, 50th minute.
Shots on goal–Whitefish 18, Libby 3. Saves–Whitefish 1 (Cross), Libby 17 (Johnson). Corner kicks–Whitefish 8, Libby 0. Total fouls–Whitefish 8, Libby 5. Yellow cards–None. Red cards–None.