Kremer’s four goals lift LC

It’s one thing to defend the home turf in soccer. It’s another thing entirely different to defend the football field in soccer.

Winless in two previous soccer matches played under the lights on the Lake City High football field, the Lake City girls finally broke through Tuesday.

Behind four goals from senior forward Ciara Kremer, Lake City handled defending 5A state champion Coeur d’Alene 4-2 in an Inland Empire League match.

Kremer scored in a variety of different situations – from a penalty kick to a free kick to twice knocking the ball through the hands of usually reliable CdA goalkeeper Amanda Wemple. The four goals were a career high.

A four-year starter, Kremer is headed to the University of Montana on scholarship next year.

The win, on the football field, was more important to Kremer than the four goals.

“This felt good to finally win here,” Kremer said. “We stayed really well composed and played our game. We possessed really well.”

The win moved LC (7-2-1 overall) into a three-way tie at 5-1 atop the conference standings with CdA (7-3-1) and Sandpoint (7-4-1).

CdA led 2-1 at intermission. But 5 minutes into the second half, CdA’s Katie Suhr was called for a foul on Mellissa Fee inside CdA’s goalie box. The left-footed Kremer had no difficulty putting it past Wemple for her second goal.

Kremer’s third goal was most impressive. She took a pass from Nicole Danner near midfield and dribbled 30 yards before splitting through three Vikings defenders. Her kick from 20 yards out rolled through Wemple’s hands with 7 minutes to go.

“I knew (the field) was wet so I put it on the ground,” Kremer said. “I tried to do that all match because they have a taller keeper. I figured low balls would be better because I know she’s really good out of the air.”

LC was awarded a free kick from 20 yards in front of the goal when another foul was called. Kremer tallied the final goal when she tucked it inside right.

“I saw a gap between the wall (of defenders) and the keeper and that’s where I tried to place it,” Kremer said.

LC coach Matt Ruchti said he was pleased with the breakthrough win.

“Our kids have struggled in this match,” Ruchti said. “Our kids have definitely had a difficult time controlling their emotions. They did it tonight.”

Kremer expects another tough matchup when the teams play Oct. 4 at CdA.

“Coeur d’Alene’s always a tough match,” she said. “They’re well-rounded players.”

Kremer has scored 11 of LC’s 24 goals this season.

“When Ciara wants to, she can be the best player in the league,” Ruchti said. “When she’s on and she asserts herself in the game she’s tough.”

The first league loss was disappointing to CdA coach Tarragh Carr. In five previous league matches, the Vikings had outscored opponents 19-3.

“It’s a learning experience,” Carr said. “We’ll take a lot out of it. We’ll probably take more out of it than we lost.”