State soccer: Cd'A Charter girls win consolation title, bring home ninth straight trophy from state
• 3A
CALDWELL — A first-round loss in a shootout dashed the hopes of the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy girls soccer team trying to win a sixth straight state title.
But the Panthers did bring home a trophy from state for the ninth straight year on Saturday, beating Marsh Valley 2-0 in the 3A consolation championship game at Vallivue High.
“So very proud of this team,” sixth-year Charter coach Stacy Smith said. “We could have easily sulked away our disappointing loss on Thursday and decided to not show up ready to play through every minute in yesterday and today's games. However, we've talked a lot about character the past few days and that you learn more about yourselves from a loss and when faced with adversity than when everything is going your way. The character of this team is made up with a lot of heart, stick-with-it-ness, and pure grit.”
Cadence Wilson and Megan Moore scored second-half goals for Coeur d’Alene Charter (18-2-0), and Danika Nowak posted the shutout in goal.
“Today's game was evident that we were not going to back away from a chance to win a trophy, even if it's not the one we first set our sights on,” Smith said. “The girls dealt with the very fast backline of Marsh Valley (14-4-3) and their offside trap. If we just continued to grind and wear them down, it was going to go our way and that's just what happened.”
On the first goal, Rebekah Hines sent a cross to Wilson, and after a short tussle with the keeper on a 50/50 ball, Wilson bounced back up and finished it into the back of the net.
“It was pure determination,” Smith said.
About 5 minutes later, after a miscommunication between the Marsh Valley backline and its keeper, Moore was there to put away the second goal.
“It's always good to go out on a win,” Smith said. “Plus, we received the sportsmanship award on top of it all. That's a great victory and something to be proud of in and of itself.”
In the 10 years Coeur d’Alene Charter has had a girls soccer team, the Panthers have gone to state nine times, with six state titles (the first one in 2014), as well as consolation title in 2013 and a second-place finish in 2015.
First half — none. Second half — 1, Charter, Cadence Wilson (Rebekah Hines), 69:00. 2, Charter, Megan Moore (unassisted).
Shots on goal — Charter 13, MV 5.
Saves — Charter, Danika Nowak 4; Marsh Valley, unknown, 7.
• 5A
Rocky Mountain 2
Lake City 1 (OT)
EAGLE — The sixth seeded Grizzlies scored the game-winner in the 92nd minute to beat the top seeded Timberwolves in the state 5A boys third-place match at Eagle High.
“Soccer can be cruel,” fifth-year Lake City coach Alan Rich said. “One bad bounce or one bad call and you’re done. We had both. The boys rebounded from the previous days’ loss and played great. They totally dominated the game, passed well and created plenty of good scoring opportunities.”
Noah Janzen scored in the 68th minute for Lake City, which finished 18-2-1.
“This one will sting for a long time,” Rich said. “The boys deserved better, especially the seniors that gave four years to our soccer program. I asked a lot and expected a lot from these guys all year and they never let me down.”
Rocky Mountain finished 13-5-3.
First half — none. Second half — 1, LC, Noah Janzen (Malachi Hutchens), 68:00. 2, RM, unknown, 77:00. First overtime — 3, RM, unknown.
Shots on goal — RM 7, LC 11.
Saves — RM, Miles Cromar 7; LC, Tyler Allred 5.