Timberlake girls clinch first IML championship

n GIRLS

SPIRIT LAKE — Caitlyn Nichols had two goals and an assist for the Timberlake Tigers as they defeated the Priest River Spartans 3-1 to wrap up the Intermountain League girls soccer championship on Tuesday at Van Tunstra Memorial Field.

“This was a pretty huge match for us,” Timberlake coach Steve Michaels said. “Priest River is a program that has really turned around from one season to another. They didn’t quit and gave us some good competition. Our girls were pretty excited to get it done tonight.”

Sam Simmons added a goal in the 52nd minute for Timberlake (8-3-2, 7-0-2 IML), which travels to Kellogg on Saturday.

Holly Hirst scored on an unassisted goal in the 80th minute for Priest River (4-9-1, 3-5-1).

First half — 1, TL, Caitlyn Nichols (unassisted), 39:00. Second half — 2, TL, Sam Simmons (Nichols), 52:00. 3, TL, Nichols (unassisted), 60:00. 4, PR, Holly Hirst (unassisted), 80:00.

Shots on goal — PR 6, TL 19.

Saves — PR, Tessa Demers 11. TL, Malin Bergenholm 5.

Lake City 1

Post Falls 0

COEUR d’ALENE — Alyssa Allen scored on an assist from Taylor Hoffman in the 70th minute to give the Timberwolves the win over the Trojans in a 5A Inland Empire League match at the Irma Anderl Soccer Complex.

“I thought Post Falls played very well in the first half, but we made some adjustments at the half,” Lake City coach Matt Ruchti said. “We came out and had some more desire in the second half and finally got a good result against a good team.”

Brittany Amburn had eight saves for Lake City (3-4-3, 1-1-1 5A IEL), which faces Lewis and Clark at Hart Field in Spokane on Thursday.

Post Falls (4-4-5, 2-2-1) could have moved into first place with a win, but instead is in second behind Lewiston (6-1-5, 2-1-2).

“I felt like our effort was good, but we were trying too hard to do everything right,” Post Falls coach Becky Thompson said. “We weren’t relaxed. We almost played like we were scared to lose instead of playing to win.”

Hannah Slinkard had eight saves for Post Falls, which hosts Lakeland on Thursday.

First half — none. Second half — 1, LC, Alyssa Allen (Taylor Hoffman), 70:00.

Shots on goal — PF 8, LC 9.

Saves — PF, Hannah Slinkard 8. LC, Brittany Amburn 8.

n BOYS

Post Falls 2

Lake City 1

POST FALLS — Scott Benner’s wind-aided shot from 60 yards out carried over the Lake City goalkeeper’s head in the 20th minute of the first half and the Trojans defeated the Timberwolves in 5A IEL play.

“The elements were a definite factor today and we tried to take advantage,” Post Falls coach Gabe Lawson said. “We knew if we could get a couple goals with the wind at our back, we could win the match. Benner boomed his kick and the wind helped carry the ball and made it difficult for the goalkeeper to judge.”

Conner Kenna also scored for the Trojans (10-1-1, 3-1), who play at Moscow on Thursday.

Chris Wheelock scored for Lake City (7-3-1, 2-2), which hosts Coeur d’Alene on Thursday.

First half — 1, PF, Conner Kenna (Reece Jackson), 10:00. 2, PF, Scott Benner (unassisted), 20:00. Second half — LC, Chris Wheelock (unassisted), 75:00.

Shots on goal — Lake City 8, Post Falls 8.

Saves — LC, Tanner Horton 3. PF, Monty Boyd 3.

Coeur d’Alene 3

Lewiston 0

COEUR d’ALENE — Adam Borshiem and Jorge Villalobos each had a first-half goal and an assist as the Vikings defeated the Bengals in a 5A Inland Empire League match at Walker Field.

“I thought we played well today,” Coeur d’Alene coach Jeff Lake said. “We didn’t score as much as we’d like, but we possessed the ball like we wanted to.”

Coeur d’Alene (9-2-1, 4-1 5A IEL) travels to Lake City on Thursday.

Lewiston is now 4-8, 0-5.

First half — 1, Cd’A, Adam Borshiem (Jorge Villalobos), 4:00. 2, Cd’A, Villalobos (Borshiem), 21:00. Second half — 3, Cd’A, Graison Le (Braden Ridgewell), 67:00.

Shots on goal — Cd’A 18, Lew 3.

Saves — Cd’A, Roland Yetter 3. Lew, Reece Ulhorn 15.

St. Maries 2

Lakeland 1

RATHDRUM — Sean Brannigan scored an unassisted goal in the 79th minute to give the Lumberjacks a nonleague win over the Hawks.

“It was our senior night, so I was hoping we’d play well,” Lakeland coach Nick Haynes said. “We just came out flat. St. Maries came out and worked harder than us.”

Judd Sempel had seven saves for St. Maries (3-7-3), which hosts Orofino on Friday.

“It was a pretty rough start for both teams in the first half,” St. Maries coach Chris Renaldo said. “We just played well enough to win in the second half.”

Sterling Jones had five saves for Lakeland (2-11), which travels to Lewiston on Thursday.

First half — 1, LL, Ragnar Aas (unassisted), 9:00. Second half — 2, SM, Ryan Kennelly (unassisted), 67:00. 3, SM, Sean Brannigan (unassisted), 79:00.

Shots on goal — SM 7, LL 13.

Saves — SM, Judd Sempel 7. LL, Sterling Jones 5.