Timberlake wins playoff opener
JOEL DONOFRIO/Press Timberlake's Kiersten Sawley, left, and Priest River's Elisheva Davis fight for control of the ball during the first half of the Tigers' 3A district playoff game against the Spartans on Monday in Post Falls.
JOEL DONOFRIO/Press Priest River senior goalkeeper Makia Fitzmorris beats Timberlake's Alexis Barry to the ball in the first half of Monday's game. Fitzmorris kept the Tigers off the scoreboards with several acrobatic saves in the game's first 40 minutes.
JOEL DONOFRIO/Press St. Maries defender Stacie Mitchell challenges Bonners Ferry's Emma Pinkerton during the second half of the Badgers' 4-0 victory on Monday at The Fields at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls.
JOEL DONOFRIO/Press Bonners Ferry sophomore Mia Blackmore (14) passes to a teammate during Monday's 3A district tournament opener against St. Maries.
POST FALLS — Timberlake kept possession of the ball, played most of the first half in the Priest River end of the field, and peppered the Spartans' goal with shots.
But the Tigers couldn't get anything past Priest River goalkeeper Makia Fitzmorris, so Timberlake coach Steve Michael turned to one of his injured senior forwards — and she delivered.
Kayli Lynn's shot in the game's 64th minute finally found the back of the net, and the Tigers added two more goals to beat the Spartans 3-0 in Monday's opening round of the 3A District girls soccer tournament at The Fields at Real Life Ministries.
Timberlake (7-4-2), the tournament's third seed, advances to Friday's 4 p.m. semifinal against No. 2 Grangeville, with a 3A state tournament berth on the line. Friday's second final, at 6 p.m., pits No. 4 Bonners Ferry (4-4-1) against top-seeded Coeur d'Alene Charter (11-1-1). The Badgers beat St. Maries 4-0 on Monday.
The two semifinal winners meet at 6 p.m. Saturday for the district championship.
Timberlake 3, Priest River 0
Dressing just 11 players, the sixth-seeded Spartans (0-12-1) dug in on defense against the more aggressive Tigers, and for the first half and much of the second half, that strategy worked.
Fitzmorris, a senior for Priest River, had most of her 15 saves before halftime, including punching two balls over the top of the net, and a point-blank save of a low, hard shot from Timberlake's Kiersten Sawley.
"We had our hands tied that whole first half," Michael said. "Priest River was playing well and we didn't have any answers.
"We had to make some adjustments at halftime, and finally we were able to find the back of the net."
Michael had hoped to play Monday's match without Lynn, who missed the start due to injury. But with the Tigers unable to score, he put her on the field, and her goal off Charley Hegstad's assist provided the winning margin.
Timberlake added late goals from Jade Reed and Elektra Sturgill to pull away from the pesky Spartans. Goalkeeper Ella Nunn had two saves for the Tigers.
"I'm proud that the girls were consistent in their play," Michael said. "They were patient, stuck with it and we got a good win."
First half — no scoring. Second half — 1. TL, Kayli Lynn (Charley Hegstad), 64:00. 2. TL, Jade Reed (Isabel Hilliard), 70:00. 3. TL, Elektra Sturgill (Hegstad), 72:00.
Shots on goal — TL 22, PR 3.
Saves — TL, Ella Nunn 3; PR, Makia Fitzmorris 15, Brooklyn Best 4.
Bonners Ferry 4, St. Maries 0
With a limited number of players, and having played a limited number of games during the regular season, the Lumberjacks struggled to stay with the Badgers in Monday's district opener at The Fields at Real Life Ministries.
Bonners Ferry scored two first-half goals, controlled the ball much of the second half, and outshot St. Maries 19-6 to advance into Friday's semifinals.
"The girls played great — they had really good passing, and we got to play everybody," Badgers coach Emily Winebark said. "A lot of our players improved today."
Eika Willis, Sophia Roemer, Madi McIntyre and Lily Blackmore tallied goals for Bonners Ferry (4-4-1), and Anna Bliss recorded two saves to earn the shutout.
The Lumberjacks had a little bit of everything this year, coach Amber Morris noted — including missing the first month of the season as the St. Maries school district delayed the start of fall sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the season did start, Morris had only nine players available for some games, and only 11 were dressed for Monday's playoff opener.
"This whole season's been a little rough. We just got back to 11 players, so my girls have been playing 80 minutes with no subs," Morris said.
"But I'm proud of the effort the girls gave, especially my three seniors. Cassidy Suchoski stepped up and did everything I asked, and I'll miss Jenna Holder and Macie Rimel too."
Holder began the game in goal for St. Maries (1-5-1) and recorded four saves, despite playing with an injured left shoulder. Stacie Mitchell took her place in the second half and recorded six saves for the Lumberjacks.
First half — 1. BF, Eika Willis (Macy McIntyre), 15:00. 2. BF, Sophia Roemer (direct kick), 27:00. Second half — 3. BF, Madi McIntyre (unassisted), 46:00. 4. BF, Lily Blackmore (Emma Pinkerton), 77:00.
Shots on goal — BF 14, SM 2.
Saves — BF, Anna Bliss 2; SM, Jenna Holder 4, Stacie Mitchell 6.
