North Idaho’s Girls Soccer League Matures

Lewiston had yet to play a high school girls soccer game, but coach Garry Bush was declaring victory.

“We’re winners already, just getting (soccer) in the school,” Bush said. “We have a soccer field that is all ours, uniforms. We have goals. We’re a part of the school’s varsity program.

“I’ve been waiting for 15 years to coach these girls,” added the longtime Lewiston club soccer coach and official. “It’s a real opportunity for girls.”

Lakeland is also fielding its first team, but will play mainly junior varsity opponents.

There are now seven North Idaho teams.

Moscow joined the North Idaho Independent Soccer League in 1994, one year after Bonners Ferry. Prior to that, Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint played off for the single state tournament berth.

Lake City placed third at state in 1994. Coeur d’Alene was second in 1993 and third in 1992.

There will be district playoffs, with the winner advancing to state in Boise on Oct. 19-21.

“What’s really changing the quality of the game, and having a huge impact on the league, is the presence of the new coaches that are coming in,” Sandpoint coach John Ferguson said.

“The other thing increasing the level, and of course, popularity, is the energy and work of a lot of volunteers who are working at every level to help kids learn soccer.”

Numbers are healthy throughout the league. Lake City had 44 girls try out, Coeur d’Alene 40, Moscow 34 and Lewiston 29.

North Idaho boasted the state girls soccer player of the year in 1995 - Jennifer Kerns, Lake City’s senior midfielder.

The aggressive Kerns led her Timberwolves and Vikings teams in scoring the past three years.

Striker Teah Beckman assumed that scorer’s role for Coeur d’Alene last year, and the sophomore is expected to do so again in 1995.

Forward Kristi Jacobson complemented Kerns around the goal at Lake City and is a fourth-year starter. Senior midfielder Callie Meyer should open up the offense.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jeanne Russell will play a major role for the Timberwolves this season.

“She lives and breathes keeper,” first-year Lake City coach Jim Facciano said. “Our strong point is our defense, and Jeanne is a major player in that defense.”

Sandpoint and Moscow both return their leading scorers from 1994 in senior Chrissy Russell and sophomore Erica Mays, respectively.

“The league should be kind of interesting,” Moscow coach Mike Davidson said. “It’s still going to be Coeur d’Alene and Lake City. At least we can give them decent games. We improved our defense 150 percent from what we had last year.”

After one week of play, Sandpoint is atop the league standings at 2-0.