Sweeper Estep Steps Up For Lake City On Defense But He Plans To Step Away From Soccer To See Europe

Lake City sweeper Ean Estep is surveying the soccer field as the Coeur d’Alene High forwards work the ball into the Timberwolves backfield. He intuitively knows where the ball is going.

Estep races toward his opponent and with a quick bump and good positioning, the sturdily built 5-foot-6 Estep knocks his opponent off balance, steals the ball and turns upfield. Quickly, a solid defensive play turns into an offensive opportunity for his teammates.

“Ean doesn’t just steal the ball, he uses his quickness to get it downfield and that quickness is one of the things that makes him the best defensive player in the state,” Lake City coach Jim Facciano said.

Estep, a senior, was the only North Idaho player named to the All-State first team last fall. He is considered by many observers to be the best defensive player in Idaho. He participated in the Olympic Development Program (ODP) last year before deciding to drop it this season to go on a backpacking tour of Europe next year instead of college.

It’s a decision that leaves Estep’s former Lake City coach Bill Eisenwinter disappointed.

“Without a doubt, Ean’s the best defensive player in the state and that’s a talent that won’t be tapped in Europe,” Eisenwinter said.

Estep would have liked to continue on to play college soccer next year, but he was foiled by the strange season format of Idaho high school soccer and lack of resume material. All North Idaho soccer teams play in the spring, but the state tournament is held in the fall to match the Southern Idaho season. The only chance college recruiters get to see the North Idaho teams play is at the state tournament. In order to get a scholarship, North Idaho players need to be in ODP for a couple years to get noticed.

“I would have liked to play in college, but I was only in ODP for a year and I didn’t do a very good job of selling myself,” Estep said.

Although he may not be a good salesman, he is an extremely quick player who isn’t afraid to play physical when the ball comes his way.

“Ean is the fastest guy I’ve ever played with and is probably one of the hardest tacklers you’ll ever meet,” LC goalie Chad Beadell said.

The mention of his tackling ability causes a little smile to crease Estep’s lips.

“I like hitting and slide tackling. I’m not that big, but I’ll go in anyway and mix it up,” he said.

Under Eisenwinter, Estep played on a state championship team his sophomore year before the split of CdA High. Estep lists the championship as the high point of his career, but he anticipates another highlight this summer.

Along with his high school play, Estep also has been a fixture on an area club team, The Sting. The team combines players from Lake City and Coeur d’Alene. He feels this year’s team will be the best he’s played on.

“We’ve definitely got a chance to win state and head to regionals where we’ll play teams from all over the West,” Estep said.

Estep is very active in Boy Scouts and his leadership on the field is also displayed in his off-field endeavors. He has completed all the requirements to become an Eagle Scout, the highest honor awarded, and will receive the award soon.

While his senior teammates will be starting college next year, Estep will in Europe for four months.

“I need to go to Europe next year to get that vacant look out of my eye so I can concentrate on my studies when I get back,” Estep said.

After returning, Estep plans to attend college and walk on the soccer team at either BYU, Gonzaga or the University of Washington. But that doesn’t mean he’s not keeping his options open.

“If I come upon a game in Europe, I’ll be looking to jump in and play,” Estep said. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll get lucky and someone over there will sign me for a million dollars.”