Cda Beats Moscow To Bring Home Cup

In a battle between soccer teams that few expected to be in the championship, Coeur d’Alene High defeated Moscow 2-1 in the North Idaho Cup Saturday.

Coeur d’Alene used a goal and assist from freshman Jared Richards to overcome a 1-0 Moscow halftime lead. In the 57th minute, Richards fired a shot on goal that Ben Davis followed to tie the score. Richards then put the game away 3 minutes later with a short blast off a Graham Gilbert pass.

“We got a nice pep talk at half and rose to the occasion,” Richards said.

Coeur d’Alene coach John Smith told his younger players at the half to step up so the seniors wouldn’t have to do all the work.

“Somedays we play a little soft and we needed to quit making excuses for being young,” Smith said.

The Bears dominated most of the first half behind the play of Jason Kuska. Kuska scored the first goal of the game in the 20th minute. CdA changed its lineup in the second half to defend Kuska more closely.

“They did a good job of counterattacking in the second half and took advantage of their opportunities better than us,” Moscow assistant coach Pat Gagon said. Gagon coached in place of head coach Trent Felton, who was going through graduation ceremonies at Idaho State University.

The Vikings clinched the No.1 seed at the district tournament next fall, which will decide the seeding at the state tournament.

For the Vikings’ talented group of seniors, the win set the foundation of success for next year. Although they won’t be a part of next season, Smith said the seniors have set a high standard for the upcoming group.

“They’ve been through some hard times, but this is a great senior class that will always know they won their last game at Coeur d’Alene,” Smith said.

Coeur d’Alene 2, Moscow 1

First half-1, Moscow, Kuska (Strobel) 20:00. Second half- 2, CdA, Davis (Richards) 57:00. 3, CdA, Richards (Gilbert) 60:00.

Shots on goal-CdA 14, Moscow 11.

Saves-CdA, Schwerrin 10. Mos, Finney 8.