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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Despite His Plight, Fink Comes Out Ahead Coeur D’Alene Soccer Star Excels During Lean Season

Rita Balock Correspondent

Teammates turned rivals when Lake City High School opened.

Brett Fink’s plight was multiplying at Coeur d’Alene High:

Just three varsity players back from last year’s boys state championship soccer team.

A new coach.

Being double- and triple-teamed by opponents.

Without warning, Fink lost control of his emotions two weeks ago during 2-0 loss to East Valley of Spokane.

The senior yelled at a linesman and a parent. Fink immediately apologized to both.

“It was hard,” Fink admitted. “I was frustrated and I let everyone see it. I was upset with myself.

“I felt like I gave up before the game was over, and I told my teammates that. It was the first time I’ve ever said that. I was thinking to myself if I still wanted to (finish the season).”

There’s no quit in Fink.

Last week, the forward scored five goals in a 10-1 victory at Lewiston and another goal in a 4-0 victory over West Valley of Spokane, as CdA improved to 3-4. The Vikings resume play after spring break Monday at Moscow.

“It doesn’t matter who you score five goals against; you have to work to score five goals and it’s hard to do against a first-year (program),” Vikings coach David Tabakman said. “I took him out. He insisted on playing defense. By no means did he want to score more, he just wanted to be in the game.”

Fink’s physical presence alone is a Coeur d’Alene asset. The 18-year-old stands 5-foot11 and weighs 215 pounds.

“There’s not many people that can knock me around off the ball,” Fink said. “They try. Some are successful, but most the time it’s not easy to do when I set my mind.”

Fink plays many roles, including a decoy of sorts when extra defensive players are assigned to contain the all-stater.

“My role is to help get the ball in the net, to help the team win, to open it up for the other players, to help them do their job,” Fink said.

“Every game we play, he’s been doubled and sometimes triple-teamed, and he handles it,” Tabakman said. “Everyone knows where we want the ball - in his control. Now, he’s using his other teammates.”

Lake City coach Bill Eisenwinter agrees that coaching Fink is easier than coaching against him.

“He’s not the only one on Coeur d’Alene’s team I’d like to have,” Eisenwinter said. “It’s hard to see a player you coached for two years, who did so well for you, now be on the opposing side. He’s a pleasure to coach.”

Tabakman recognizes Fink’s college soccer potential and has had several unofficial contacts with college coaches.

“He’s got the body to play anywhere on the soccer field,” Tabakman said. “Brett is exceptional without the ball, and that is a hard skill to coach in young players.”

But Tabakman keeps Fink on an even-keel with his teammates.

“They don’t see him as anything but a nice, friendly human being who plays soccer,” Tabakman said. “We make fun of his talents, too. How good he is, so he doesn’t have to take so much pressure. We do silly things, but when it comes time to play the game, he’s very disciplined.”

Fink returned to the Vikings varsity football (tight end) and basketball (forward) programs this past year. They’re sports he probably wouldn’t have played again had the schools not split.

Fink also hit the books, increasing a 2.5 grade-point average to 3.0 by the end of fall quarter. He currently has a 3.5.

“If anything, the split of the schools might have done him a world of good,” Tabakman said. “Now, by himself he can concentrate on other things that are all part of the growing process. He’s following his own footsteps. He’s Brett Fink.”