St. Maries girls continue successful season
RATHDRUM — In the third season since reviving their girls soccer program, the St. Maries Lumberjacks reached another milestone Monday: their first district victory.
Senior midfielder Janna Oelke had three goals, teaming with forward Bethan Suchoski to put constant presure on the Kellogg defense in St. Maries’ 5-2 win at Sunshine Rotary Fields in Rathdrum.
“Janna has been strong for us all season long — applying pressure, getting shots and creating scoring opportunities,” Lumberjacks coach Brad Groce said.
Goals by Layla Rice, Oelke and Suchoski put St. Maries (9-4-1) ahead 3-1 at intermission, but Kellogg closed within a goal on Taeya Sheppard’s penalty kick. Oelke added two breakaway goals to give the Lumberjacks a more comforatble lead.
“As a team, we’ve come together and played a lot better,” Groce said. “After two years of getting beat, the girls have worked hard and it’s good to see them enjoying some success.”
St. Maries will face either Timberlake or Grangeville with a state tournament berth on the line today at 4 p.m. at Sunshine Rotary Fields.
First half — 1. Kell, Lora Allred (unassisted) 5:00. 2. SM, Layla Rice (Bethan Suchoski) 24:00. 3. SM, Janna Oelke (unassisted) 28:00. 4. SM, Suchoski (Aubree Osier) 32:00. Second half — 5. Kell, Taeya Sheppard (PK) 45:00. 6. SM, Oelke (Suchoski) 54:00. 7. SM, Oelke (unassisted) 66:00.
Shots on goal — Kell 3, SM 40.
Saves — Kell, Shea Curran 35; SM, Jenna Holder 2.
Timberlake vs. Grangeville: No report received
Bonners Ferry 1, Priest River 0: A first-half goal by freshman midfielder Holly Ansley was all the Badgers needed to advance in their Intermountain League district soccer opener Monday at Sunshine Rotary Fields in Rathdrum.
Goalkeeper Emily Blackmore and the Bonners Ferry defense preserved the shutout, although Priest River forward Karah Fink nearly tied the score late in the second half, with her breakaway shot attempt just wide of the left post.
“They had a good chance to equalize it, but overall, our defense had a great game,” Badgers coach Ed Moe said. “We’re starting to play better at the end of the season. We’re getting better with our passing and possessing the ball.”
Bonners Ferry (5-9) will face IML champion and defending 3A state champion Coeur d’Alene Charter (12-0-1) at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
First half — 1. BF, Holly Ansley 14:00. Second half — none.
n 4A District
Moscow 2, Lakeland 0: The host Hawks won the loser-out game and will face Sandpoint for a state tournament berth on Wednesday.
Lakeland ends its season at 5-9-1.
Further information was not available.
n BOYS SOCCER
St. Maries 4, Priest River 0: Two Matt Masterson goals in the game’s first 20 minutes helped St. Maries cruise past the Spartans Monday in an opening-round Intermountain League District tournament game.
“The boys moved the ball very well and did a good job overall,” Lumberjacks coach Chris Renaldo said.
Steven Grant and David Warnken added goals for St. Maries (10-3-1), which faces Bonners Ferry today at 2 p.m. in a district semifinal. Timberlake (8-3-1) faces Grangeville in the other semifinal, also at 2 p.m. at Sunrise Rotary Fields.
The semifinal winners square off for the district title on Thursday, with the victor advancing to the state tournament.
First half — 1. SM, Matt Masterson (Trysten Lockridge) 5:00. 2. SM, Masterson (Tyler Martin) 20:00. Second half — 3. SM, Steven Grant (unassisted) 71:00. 4. SM, David Warnken (Kolby Moore) 76:00.
Shots on goal — PR 3, SM 13
Saves — PR, Evan Barnes 4; SM, Ben Bailey 3.