6A DISTRICT 1 GIRLS SOCCER: Playing for another day ... Lake City shuts out Coeur d'Alene, forces deciding third game on Thursday at Lake City

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

COEUR d’ALENE — By losing on its home field on Saturday, Lake City backed itself into unfamiliar territory. 

Win or miss the state girls soccer tournament for the first time since 2008.

And that string of 11 straight regional/district titles ends.

But with a little help from the program’s youth, the Timberwolves will play another day. 

Lake City, the top seed, defeated Coeur d’Alene 2-0 in Game 2 of the 6A District 1 tournament Thursday night at Viking Field, forcing a deciding game at 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Irma Anderl Soccer Complex at Lake City.

“We weren’t really ourselves the other day,” Lake City coach Matt Ruchti said. “We’re still — even though we’re got some experience with the group we have — a young team. We took Coeur d’Alene for granted and (Coeur d’Alene coach) Andy (Vredenburg) does a good job of getting them ready to compete. Their record doesn’t reflect how good and talented they are. We’ve got to come out and play, and we didn’t the other day, and that’s why we’re in the situation we’re in.” 

Sophomore Chloe Burkholder scored in the 32nd minute, then sophomore Riley Brazle scored in the 39th for Lake City to take a 2-0 halftime lead. 

Lake City (11-3-2) won both matches during the regular season, but the Vikings (3-12-2) won last Saturday’s district opener 2-1 at Lake City High.

“Now we’re going into a play-in game,” Vredenburg said. “We’ve got to bounce back. Hats off to Lake City. They just wanted it more than us and so we’ve got to figure out how to play with more urgency and play with a little more desire to bring it to them.” 

Sophomore Savvy Spencer had six saves in the shutout. 

“Tonight, I thought it was a great program effort from top to bottom today,” Ruchti said. “It looked more like who we are. The girls played with a lot of pride. They know what this program is about and the other day, they felt like they let that down.” 

“Both times we’ve played on their field, we’ve played better,” Vredenburg said. “I don’t know if it’s playing on the grass, or it’s just like a home game. Tonight, Lake City just wanted it more and their hard work paid off for them.” 

First half — 1, LC, Chloe Burkholder (Addyson Kerley), 32:00. 2, LC, Riley Brazle (unassisted), 39:00. 

Shots on goal — LC 12, Cd’A 6. 

Saves — LC, Savvy Spencer 6; Cd’A, Macy Walters 10. 

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Lake City sophomore Riley Brazle attempts to clear the ball from Coeur d'Alene senior Kaylie Smart during the second half of Tuesday's match at Viking Field.