North Idaho League Soccer Preview
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
1996 record: 12-8-1 overall, 6-5-1 league
Coach: John Smith, 1st year
Top returners: Ty Kovatch, sr., midfield; Darren Bauney, sr., mf; Ben Davis, sr., forward; Joel Grabenstein, sr., sweeper; Graham Gilbert, jr., wing; Andy Vredenburg, soph., w; Matt Douglas, soph., fullback; Beau LaTourrette, soph., fb; Kyle Chambers, soph., f.
Newcomers: Jon Bauney, frosh., sw; Barret Schwerin, frosh, goalkeeper; Aaron Gomes, jr., gk; Jeff Waggoner, frosh., w/f; Jared Richards, frosh., f; Joey Davis, soph., w/f.
Coach’s comment”Our midfield is going to be very tough this season. Our seniors work hard and are great role models for the large group of young kids we have.”
Outlook: The Vikings will be anchored by their great play up the middle, ending with Grabenstein as the team’s defensive stopper. Coeur d’Alene will have to develop at goalkeeper to be the clear favorite.
Lake City Timberwolves
1996 record: 14-3, 11-1
Coach: Jim Facciano, 3rd year
Top returners: Dan Clark, sr., mf; David Hill, sr., gk; Scott Blodgett, sr., f; Brian Landers, jr., f; Bo Conley, jr., f; Ethan Dodson, sr., fb; Noah Beck, sr., fb; Trevor Robinson, sr., fb; Connor Quinn, soph., mf.
Newcomers: Philimon Tudor, soph., f; Steve Johnson, soph., f; Derek Houck, jr., mf; Taylor Facciano, soph., mf; Sam Stroh, soph., mf; J.J. Barlow, soph., mf.
Coach’s comment “We’ve really been focusing on offense this year because it’s hard to keep winning games when we only score a goal or two. That’s what we had to do all last year, so we’re gonna be more aggressive.”
Outlook: Lake City looks tough. It will be a good battle all year between the crosstown rivals, but Coeur d’Alene might be better up the middle.
Sandpoint Bulldogs
1996 record: 11-5-2, 6-3-2
Coach: Ed Bock, 10th year
Top returners: Jason Campbell, jr., mf/f; Kurt Berkley, jr., marking back; Shane Thoreson, soph., mf; J.P. Huegenin, sr., striker; Dave Nickodemus, sr., gk; Ben Benson, sr., gk; Charles Wells, soph., sw; Chris Vanderford, jr., mf; Travis Thompson, jr., fb; Ryan Farwell, sr., mf; Andy Shaudt, sr., mf; Devin Price, soph., mf.
Newcomers: Lawson Tate, soph., fb; Sam Libbey, soph., mf; Jevon Watson, soph., mf; Carmine Terracciano, soph., mf; Brian Campbell, jr., fb.
Coach’s comment “We lost just three seniors, and our returning players will bring a lot of experience to the table. We feel that the key is team speed and playing good possession soccer.”
Outlook: Sandpoint pulled off an upset last year by winning the North Idaho Cup. With the large group of returning players and good team speed, the Bulldogs won’t be able to sneak up on anyone this year.
Moscow Bears
1996 record: 11-8-1, 6-5-1
Coach: Trent Felton, 1st year
Top returners: Jason Kuska, sr., mf/f: Tony Gagon, sr., sw/mf; Tim Garton, sr., fb; Kyle Rose, sr., mf; Mike Rowton, sr., mf; Dana Sorbel, sr., mf; Scott Strobel, sr., mf; Trevor Mordhorst, jr., fb; Brian Vandegrift, jr., gk.
Newcomers: Mikel Amostegi, sr., f; Mike Beard, frosh., mf.
Coach’s comment “All of these kids have a great attitude toward the game, and they’ll play hard every game. We need to play with some depth.”
Outlook: Kuska is one of the league’s best players. Felton feels the team has a good work ethic. The Bears might play at too slow a pace to keep up with the top three teams.
Lakeland Hawks
1996 record: 1-7-1, 1st year in league
Coach: Mario Matty, second year
Top returners: Wes Sabo, jr., c/mf; Doug Ford, sr., sw; Brian Schaffer, jr., gk.
Newcomers: Dylan Steigemeier, frosh., mf.
Coach’s comment “We’re learning to play together and getting into the passing game. We’ve got a talented midfield, and as the year goes on we’ll start to jell.”
Outlook: Lakeland has a young program, and it will take a while for the Hawks to become contenders. There is talent, it’s a question of how long it takes to come together.
Lewiston Bengals
1996 record:1-10-1, 1-7
Coach: Jim Hill, 1st year
Top returners: Mike Dancy, sr., fb; Nick Carter, soph., fb; Jeremy Harris, sr., gk/fb; Ryan Froehlich, jr., mf.
Newcomers: Jeff Purcell, soph., hb; Geoff Tomberg, sr., f; Inaki Anduago, sr., hb.
Coach’s comment “We’re slowly progressing and standing up to teams through at least a half. We’re trying to build a program with a lot of young players on the team.”
Outlook: With only four seniors on the team, Lewiston is trying to establish the basics before becoming contenders.
Post Falls Trojans
1996 record: 1st year of program
Coach: Dean Thompson, 1st year
Top returners: none
Newcomers: Chad Baker, jr., gk; Cameron Chesnut, frosh., gk.
Coach’s comment “It’s our first year, but we’re not totally inexperienced. A lot of the kids have club-team experience and are talented.”
Outlook: The Trojans have a pair of good goalies, and that is what they will build on. Post Falls will have to gain experience quickly to win league games.
Bonners Ferry Badgers
1996 record: 2-10, 0-9
Coach: John Lindberg, 2nd year
Top returners: Mickey Villelli, jr., mf; Del Ray Romero, jr., mf; Jacob Pluid, jr., mf; Nate Nelson, soph., f; Graydon Galloway, jr., fb; Lance Dickinson, soph., mf.
Newcomers: Tom Villelli, frosh., mf; Aaron Rutherford, frosh., gk; Josh Figgins, frosh., f; Jaime Barojos, soph., fb.
Coach’s comment “We have to pay for everything, but there is no doubt that these kids are worth the investment. They’re very cohesive and totally inexperienced.”
Outlook: The fact that there is soccer in Bonners Ferry at all is an achievement. The athletes pay a $100 fee and Lindberg is coaching for free. Any success by the Badgers will be a validation of the program.