STATE 4A BOYS SOCCER: Chartered territory ... Panthers advance to first title game in program history with 1-0 win over Teton

By JASON ELLIOTT 

Sports writer 

POST FALLS — Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy senior midfielder Treffen McCord admitted shortly after Friday’s match that it wasn’t his best day. 

He might be saving something for later today. 

McCord put back Liam Hughes' header that bounced off the post for the game's only goal in the 46th minute as the second-seeded Panthers beat the Teton Timberwolves of Driggs 1-0 in the state 4A boys soccer semifinals at The Fields at Real Life

The win advanced Coeur d'Alene Charter to the state championship match for the first time in program history. 

“I didn’t do the greatest today,” McCord said. “Normally, I’m able to hold off the opposition and hopefully create an opportunity for our team.” 

Hughes was in the center of the penalty box and sent the ball to the right post, where McCord was waiting in the 45th minute. 

“Liam headed the ball, and it went off the post,” McCord said. “It tapped off the keeper and I tapped it in to be safe. I felt like my touch was much needed, but all I know is that we’re in the state finals.” 

McCord, who played at Charter as a freshman, spent the past two years playing for the Spokane Shadow club team.  

“Treffen brings in an incredibly high soccer IQ,” Daigle said. “We’ve already got some really good players that have played for a while and understand the game. But his is at another level and understanding how to play. His leadership has really been great. He’s teaching constantly on the field and helping players get into the right spots in the right places. We ask a lot of our players and shift them around defensively a lot, and his soccer IQ is something to behold.” 

Coeur d’Alene Charter (17-0-2), in its sixth season with a boys program, will face top-seeded Wendell (19-2-1) in the championship game today at 4 p.m. at The Fields — where Charter plays its home games. Wendell defeated fifth-seeded McCall-Donnelly 1-0 in the other semifinal on Friday. Wendell beat Coeur d’Alene Charter 4-0 in the consolation championship match at state last year.

“This is the best finish that the program will have, no matter what happens,” McCord said. “This is a very special place for us and we’ve played really well at home normally. It’s really great to be out here and hopefully winning a state title at home.” 

Coeur d’Alene Charter advanced to the semifinals in 2020, also at The Fields, falling to Sun Valley Community School 1-0 in overtime. The Panthers beat Gooding 2-0 to finish third. 

“It’s definitely uncharted waters for us for sure,” Daigle said. “I think with how close and tight this group is, they believe in something. Our 11 will stand up against anyone else’s 11. Whoever we put out there, it’s a strong 11 and it kind of brings some calm, especially in the last two games. It’s been really calm with the boys. They’re very at ease, and we’ve preached what the great (Bill) Belichick said: ‘Do your job.’” 

Coeur d’Alene Charter beat American Falls 2-0 on Thursday and has limited opponents to five goals this season. 

“Back-to-back shutouts at state is something fun to watch,” Daigle said. “They’ve been heart and soul of this team from our keeper to our back line. What they’ve done all season to give up just five goals, it’s just something that’s unbelievable to watch. They’re such a tight-knit group and we’ve got 130 kids in our high school, and most of these guys see each other every day. It’s something special to watch. It’s really seeing them as freshmen in my first year to our seniors, they’ve been our entire team. And they’ve been about the team. And it’s cool to watch.” 

Junior Mattis Macmillan had three saves in the shutout for Coeur d’Alene Charter. 

“He controls everything out there,” Daigle said. “He’s the best keeper I’ve laid eyes on and he’s something special. With his demeanor and game, he will calm everyone and keep them on the even keel. Even in a roller coaster, he’s the conductor of it and keeping us steady.” 

“On Thursday, our team kind of died in the second half and didn’t play with as much energy as we needed,” Macmillan said. “Today, we kind of changed that around and came out and played with some vengeance. I really enjoyed playing with them today.” 

Teton (14-3-0) faces McCall-Donnelly for third place today at 11:30 a.m. 

“They’ve got some good players,” Teton coach Kurt Mitchell said of Coeur d'Alene Charter. “No. 11 (Hughes) did a pretty good job of holding the line and sweeping away anything that came through. I think we had some chances and a few nice shots on goal, but they’ve got a big goalkeeper. And with a goalkeeper of that size, you need to get the shots low and, in the corner, to give yourself a chance to get them behind him.” 

First half — none. Second half — 1, Charter, Treffen McCord (Liam Hughes), 46:00. 

Shots on goal — Teton 4, Charter 8. 

Saves — Teton, Kirby Gonzalez 7; Charter, Mattis Macmillan 3. 

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Coeur d'Alene Charter junior forward Joseph Nicklay attempts to get past Teton senior midfielder Isaac Thomas during the first half of Friday's state 4A boys soccer semifinal match at The Fields in Post Falls.