Post Falls boys soccer has high expectations

Two years ago, the Post Falls boys soccer team advanced to state for the first time.

Two years later, the Post Falls boys go to state for a second time but with much higher expectations, not to mention some extra luggage.

That luggage comes in the form of an unbeaten record. The Trojans (16-0-2) open state Thursday against Centennial (8-4-5).

Post Falls sophomore forward Timmy Mueller, who has scored a team-high 23 goals with eight assists, takes a mature and realistic approach as the Trojans head to state.

“We haven’t done anything yet,” Mueller said. “We won the regionals. We were expected to. We’ve got to keep doing what we do.”

The next hurdle facing Post Falls is playing on artificial turf instead of the luscious thick grass at home.

“It’s going to be a little more challenging,” PF coach Gabe Lawson said. “It lends itself well to our game anyway because we’re a possession-oriented team. We like to play the ball on the ground. We don’t play a lot of over-the-top stuff.”

The region’s other 5A state qualifier, Lake City (9-6-1), opens against Mountain View (15-1-1).

In 5A girls, Lewiston (9-5-3) faces Timberline (11-3-3) and Lake City (10-4-3) meets defending state champ Boise (13-3-1).

In 4A boys, Lakeland (11-4-3) is making its first trip to state. The Hawks take on Bonneville (16-2-0) at Brothers Field in Caldwell.

At the same site, the Sandpoint girls (5-8-5) meet Madison (10-5-1).

In 3A boys, Bonners Ferry (7-9-1), state runner-up last year, opens against Filer (7-7-4) at Vallivue High in Caldwell.

In 3A girls at the same site, Timberlake (8-7-2) faces Teton (13-1-2) and Kellogg (9-2-3), making its first trip to state, goes against Community School (13-4-1).