Lady Loggers soccer team drops pair

The Lady Logger soccer team dropped a pair of tough contests to Columbia Falls and Whitefish. Both games ended 5-0.

Hosting Whitefish last Thursday, the Loggers found themselves down in the 20th minute when Whitefish’s Grace Kurtz scored. Kurtz scored again in the 27th minute.

Haley Nicholson made it 3-0 when she scored in the 38th minute and capped the first-half scoring.

Whitefish outshot Libby 31-0 in the game. Libby did not record a corner kick while Whitefish earned nine. Libby goaltender Abbey Ennenga recorded 13 saves.

Whitefish has surprised many this season, becoming a powerhouse in the Northwest A conference. The Lady Bulldogs are now 6-0 in conference, 9-1 overall. They have outscored opponents 37-11.

The Loggers turned around and played Columbia Falls the next day.

Unfortunately, they faced a similar fate. Lindsay Strouse scored in the 11th minute to stake an early lead from which the Lady Wildkats did not look back. Haley Purdy recorded rapid-fire goals in the 20th and 26th minutes. Strouse recorded a second goal of her own in the 33rd minute.

The Logger defense tightened in the second half, allowing only one goal to Meagan Deliver in the 50th minute.

Dani Hawthorne served as Logger goaltender and saved 15 shots. Columbia Falls’ Ally Gimble saved Libby’s only shot on target.

The year has been a rebuilding one for the Lady Loggers and Head Coach Joe Cik. The Loggers made the playoffs for the first time in three years last season but graduated seven senior starters.

Cik has worked to develop soccer sense within his young players. They recorded their first win of the season against  Bonners Ferry, 2-1, Sept. 30.