Cda Girls Go After Their Goal State A-1 Soccer Tourney Begins In Area Today

They’ve talked about it all season. Now it’s time to put up or shut up.

The Coeur d’Alene High School girls soccer team expects to be playing in the State A-1 Tournament championship match Saturday.

First, though, the Vikings (17-4-1) must get by first-round opponent Highland of Pocatello (3-3-0) today. The match, at 2:30, will be played at Viking Field.

The opener doesn’t appear as if it’ll be a difficult task. But the competition figures to stiffen measurably should Coeur d’Alene advance to the semis on Friday.

In the other opener in the Vikings’ half of the bracket, defending champion Boise (13-1-2) takes on Pocatello (3-3-0) at noon at Irma Anderl Complex at Lake City HS.

In other openers, Borah (13-4-0) meets Sandpoint (14-4-2), fourth last year, at noon at Canfield Middle School, and Skyline of Idaho Falls (3-2-1), runner-up last year, plays Bishop Kelly (10-4-1).

The boys state tourney also will be held in Coeur d’Alene. CdA (2-0) takes on defending state champion Meridian (10-5-4) at noon at Viking Field, just before the Vik girls play.

Sandpoint, which has yet to play and qualified for state based on winning the North Idaho Cup last spring, will meet Highland (8-3-4) at 2:30 at Canfield.

In other openers, Bishop Kelly (13-1-2), which has lost just once in its last 30 matches, meets Pocatello (5-5-4) while Idaho Falls (8-3-2) plays Boise (9-2-5).

CdA girls coach David Tabakman says his team is well-balanced.

Freshman sensation Janee Andre has led the offense, while a handful of Viks have spearheaded a tight defense.

“As long as we keep our rotation together we can do anything we want to do,” Tabakman said.

Sandpoint’s girls are making their third trip in the last five years to state. Three of their four losses were to CdA, so the young Bulldogs feel they can compete.

Viking boys coach John Smith admits that his team hasn’t had as many matches as the majority of state teams. But his players haven’t exactly been idle either.

“It’s a considerable disadvantage, but our boys have been playing on club teams,” Smith said. “Their conditioning is fine. They’re still figuring out how to play with each other.”

Sandpoint’s boys are making their first trip to state since 1992.

, DataTimes