6A DISTRICT 1 BOYS SOCCER: Golden again ... Lake City strike in overtime again to clinch berth to state tournament

By JASON ELLIOTT 

Sports writer 

COEUR d’ALENE — It wasn’t so much of a reset, but a refocus on what mattered most for the Lake City boys soccer team after tying Post Falls 1-1 on Sept. 3 at home. 

That result cost the Timberwolves homefield advantage in the best-of-3 6A District 1 tournament. 

On Tuesday, after winning the opener at Coeur d'Alene High, the Timberwolves were able to take advantage of their home turf. 

Senior right wing Greyson Kortus scored off a deflection in the third minute of overtime to send the second-seeded Timberwolves over the top-seeded Coeur d’Alene Vikings 2-1 in Game 2 of the 6A District 1 championship series at the Irma Anderl Soccer Complex, clinching the district’s lone berth to state starting next Thursday at Coeur d'Alene High's Viking Field. 

“It always ends up like that,” Kortus said. “The games are always really good against them. The defender kind of lost sight of the ball and the keeper deflected the ball to me (on the game-winner). It happened the same way last year against Coeur d’Alene.” 

“They always play really well against us,” Lake City senior midfielder Jacob Molina said. “We always kind of struggle early, but battle back. We always overcome. They’re a great team, but our ability to control the game works the best.” 

In the 18th minute, Coeur d’Alene had two players receive red cards and had to play down two players for the final 60 minutes and overtime.  

“Even down to nine, they played tough,” Kortus said of Coeur d’Alene, which split matches with Lake City during the regular season, with the Vikings winning 1-0 and Lake City winning 2-1. “They play 80 minutes, and have a lot of good players. It’s a weird pressure playing against nine guys, but we found our way with two golden-goal games.” 

Lake City (11-1-2) is ranked fourth in the latest MaxPreps.com rankings, which is used to seed the state tournament. It is the second straight district (regional) title for Lake City, which also beat Coeur d'Alene in the title game last year.

“They bought into our culture early on,” first-year Lake City coach Chaz Donovan said. “We had that tie against Post Falls, we had to regroup and focus on what really matter. And the boys really bought into it. All the credit goes to them. They made it happen today today and I couldn’t be prouder.” 

“We know each other and play club ball against or with each other,” Donovan said. “I knew it was going to be a battle either way. It’s unfortunate that we can’t get two teams to state from North Idaho, because I know both could make some noise at state.” 

Coeur d’Alene senior Kason Pintler scored on a penalty kick in the 31st minute to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead at halftime. Lake City sophomore Reese Crawford scored in the 43rd minute to tie the game at 1-1. 

“The composure we have, especially when the cards are against us, they’ll find a way,” Donovan said. “I’m confident that we’ll regroup on Thursday and we’ll give it a good run.” 

Coeur d’Alene, which won its first outright league title since 2010, finishes 9-4. 

“It’s a tough situation to be in,” first-year Coeur d’Alene coach Robbie Harmelink said. “I’m just proud of my boys for what they put out there today. I love each and every one of those guys, even the guys that didn’t get on. I’m proud of the effort of all of them.” 

Coeur d’Alene had a chance for a go-ahead goal late in the second half, but the shot hit the top of the goalpost. 

“To hold them to a tie and force overtime, that’s ridiculous,” Harmelink said. “I wish it wasn’t us, and you never what it to be you. I’ve got full faith that this is the one of the best teams in the state. It’s a tough bounce and tough calls. I’m just dang proud of my boys.” 

First half — 1, Cd’A, Kason Pintler (penalty kick), 31:00. Second half — 2, LC, Reese Crawford (unassisted), 42:00. Overtime – 3, LC, Greyson Kortus (Jacob Molina), 83:00. 

Shots on goal — Cd'A 5, LC 6. 

Saves — Cd'A, Grant Johnson 5; LC, Lukas Ruchti 5.  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Lake City junior left wing Jonathan Kitsak and Coeur d'Alene senior midfielder Liam Martin battle for the ball during the second half of Game 2 in the 6A District 1 boys soccer championship series. Lake City defeated Coeur d'Alene 2-1 in overtime to advance to the state tournament starting next Thursday at Coeur d'Alene High.