Cda Captures State Soccer Berth Viks Girls Top Seed From District In Event Set For The Lake City

As far as Coeur d’Alene High School girls soccer coach David Tabakman is concerned, the State A-1 Tournament can begin today.

“We’re ready,” said Tabakman, whose team blanked Sandpoint 2-0 Monday under a steady drizzle to capture the North Idaho District championship and top seeding to state.

But Tabakman and the Vikings (17-4-1) will have to wait until Thursday when they will be playing host at state. Coeur d’Alene will take on Highland of Pocatello at 2:30 p.m. at Viking Field.

Sandpoint (14-4-1) will take on Borah at noon at Canfield Middle School in another first-round match.

In other openers, defending state champion Boise meets Pocatello and state runner-up Bishop Kelly meets Skyline of Idaho Falls.

The Vikings easily made two first-half goals stand up Monday. Freshman sensation Janee Andre scored off a nifty assist on a header from Kara Kovatch 7 minutes in.

Sixteen minutes later, after two point-blank shots, Katrina Corbeill scored on an assist from Andre.

Coeur d’Alene’s defense smothered Sandpoint, not allowing a legitimate scoring opportunity.

In three matches against Sandpoint and cross-town rival Lake City, CdA allowed just one goal.

“We played very well and the nice thing is we’re the No. 1 seed (from North Idaho),” Tabakman said.

It was a fairly boring first half for CdA goalie Rachel StormoGipson, who didn’t have to make a save. Sandpoint had a few more trips across midfield in the final 40 minutes, but the Bulldogs couldn’t mount a serious threat.

“With the exception of Mead, nobody has really threatened us,” Tabakman said.

The Viks received the usual steady play from seniors Stacy Chambers (sweeper) and Nicollette Richards (forward).

Boys state A-1 soccer

The tournament also will start in Coeur d’Alene on Thursday.

Sandpoint, which earned the top seed from North Idaho last spring, will take on Highland at 2:30 at Canfield. Coeur d’Alene will meet defending state champion Meridian at noon at Viking Field.

In other openers, Bishop Kelly meets Pocatello and Idaho Falls, state runner-up last year, goes against Boise.

, DataTimes