North Idaho Soccer In Predicted Order Of Finish

Coeur d’Alene Vikings

1996 record: 12-1-1 (league champ), 19-5-1

Current record: 3-0

Coach: Geary Jerde

Years coaching: 1st

Top returners: Kara Kovatch, senior, midfielder; Teah Beckman, sr., defender/ forward; Kelly Garasky, sr., def; Jaime Jerde, junior, mf; Kaytlyn Smith, jr., mf/def; Cassie Gatten, jr., mf; Tiffany Beck, sophomore, f/def; Janee Andre, soph., f; Casey Joyner, soph., def.

Newcomers: Kathy Cottrell, soph., goalie; Maura Montreuil, soph., mf.

Headers: Although untested in goal, an air-tight defense will help inexperienced sophomore goalie’s confidence early.

Coach’s comments: “My concern is keeping them mentally ready for every game. Everybody on our team is a threat to score. But we have a lot of work to do yet.”

Outlook: After Andre, the Viks are balanced. By midseason, several players should help carry the offensive load. That will give the Viks multiple threats. Opponents must be patient and guard against trying to make long passes against defenders who seemingly get to all the loose balls.

Sandpoint Bulldogs

1996 record: 11-3-0, 17-5-2, third at state

Current record: 3-0

Coach: Amy Wells

Years coaching: 2nd

Top returners: Maria Montague, sr., mf; Tiffani Thomas, sr., f; Jenny Harvey, jr., mf/stopper; Rebekah Reifsnyder, jr., def; Jessica Tangen, jr., def/f; Anna Snedden, jr., st/mf; Darra Gann, jr., halfback/def; Tashena Taylor, jr., g; Dana Libbey, soph., hb; Lindsey Larson, jr., mf.

Newcomers: Anna Chapman, soph., f; Tonia Kritzeck, soph., sweeper; Julie Jacobson, soph., f; Kristine Hale, freshman, mf; Amanda Cravens, fr., f.

Headers: Wells says the talent well is deep at Sandpoint. Next year’s freshmen are expected to be the strongest yet.

Coach’s comments: “I think we’ve got all the right parts as long as we play well. We’re definitely looking to getting back to state and doing well.”

Outlook: The Bulldogs must overcome the loss of junior Melissa Kingsland (stopper/ midfielder), who was lost to knee surgery last month. She was an all-state selection last year, providing the spark to Sandpoint’s state effort. The strength of the pack is what should propel Sandpoint to a state berth.

Lake City Timberwolves

1996 record: 7-5-2, 9-7-2

Current record: 2-2

Coach: Jim Facciano

Years coaching: 3rd

Top returners: Ali Chisholm, sr., mf; Katie Brunn, sr., f; Katie Hawn, sr., mf; Michelle Weger, sr., sw; Jeanne Russell, sr., g; Shanda Harlin, sr., mf; Erica Olson, sr., st; Anna Moseley, jr., mf.

Newcomers: Alexis Tolley, jr., mf; Shelby McIntosh, jr., sw/st; Hayley Shortridge, soph., f; Heidi Hedge, fr., f; Megan Holmes, fr., mf.

Headers: Early injuries and losses to Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint mean LC will have to battle to finish third in league.

Coach’s comments: “We feel strongly that we’ll be in the top three. Once we put our full roster together we’ll do well.”

Outlook: What the Timberwolves sorely lack, at least early against the league’s top teams, is a consistent scoring threat. Russell, an allleague goalie, can’t be asked to put up a shutout every match. If offense develops, T-Wolves will have more bite.

Moscow Bears

1996 record: 7-4-3, 8-5-3

Current record: 1-1

Coach: Pat Gagon

Years coaching: 2nd

Top returners: Holly Davidson, sr., hb; Ellie Graham, sr., hb; Laura Minnick, sr., mf; Emily Styer, sr., f; Sarah Meyer, jr., st; Meredyth Whiteman, soph., sw; Kim Hawley, soph., fb; Sarah Harris, jr., mf; Mary Baron, soph., f; Faith Enfield, soph., mf; Mariah Talbott, jr., g.

Newcomers: Leise Booth, frosh., fb; Brenda Robinson, frosh., f; Tara Tribbett, soph., mf.

Headers: The Bears lost to Sandpoint 2-1 at home last Saturday in a match Gagon thought should have been a tie at the least. Moscow missed a critical penalty kick.

Coach’s comments: “We basically returned the nucleus of our team that finished third last year. I like our fitness level. The girls came into camp in excellent shape.”

Outlook: With nine starters returning, Moscow has every reason to believe this could be the year it goes to state. The Bears earned respect of top teams last year. It should come down to LC and Moscow to decide third.

Lewiston Bengals

1996 record: 7-3-3, 11-4-3

Current record: 0-1

Coach: Garry Busch

Years coaching: 3rd

Top returners: Becky Roberts, sr., f; Jessica Presnell, sr., f; Bryn Devlin, jr., f; Carmen Zobel, jr., hb; Randi Katzenberger, jr., hb; Jenny Vigil, soph., hb.

Newcomers: Jenelle Andrews, soph., g; Shannon Dunlap, jr., fullback Headers: No program improved more in one year than Lewiston last season.

Coach’s comments: “It’s going to take us a little time to come together. Our hope is to be competitive in the second half of the season.”

Outlook: If any of the four teams above take Lewiston lightly, an upset will occur. The Bengals lost some key players to graduation. Busch thinks he can fill the holes.

Lakeland Hawks

1996 record: 4-10-0, 4-11-0

Current record: 0-3

Coach: Mario Maddy

Years coaching: 2nd

Top returners: Cara Barnes, jr., f; Britta Kallunki, jr., mf; Paige Smith, jr., mf; Alyssa Douglas, sr., mf; Brooke Fox, sr., def; Teresa Bell, sr., mf.

Newcomers: Lacee Johnson, frosh., mf; Kaci Reisenauer, soph., f.

Headers: The Hawks might not be as polished as some teams, but they can match athletes with any team.

Coach’s comments: “I’m happy with where we’re at. We’re definitely a sixth-place team, but if we can play to our abilities we could cause some upsets toward the end of the year.”

Outlook: The Hawks must play a near-perfect match to stay close to the top-division teams. Maddy says if Lakeland can learn how to win, then expectations could be exceeded.

Post Falls Trojans

1996 record: 2-12-1, 2-12-1

Current record: 0-2

Coach: Dean Thompson

Years coaching: 2nd

Top returners: Jennifer Swanstrom, sr., mf; Tiffany Moore, sr., def; Kacie Fehling, sr., def; Megan Billetz, jr., def; Bria Christiansen, jr., mf; Amanda Hildebrandt, jr., mf; Nicole Ahlers, sr., f.

Newcomers: Katie McClaughry, sr., sw; Stephanie Lempesis, jr., mf; Stephanie Love, jr., g.

Headers: Thompson was overwhelmed with a turnout of 38, up from 14 his first year. The large turnout means Post Falls will field a junior varsity team.

Coach’s comments: “We’re miles ahead of where we were last year. The varsity and the JV scrimmaged last week and the JV is where our varsity was last year. We’re ready to play and not just show up and give everybody else another (win).”

Outlook: The Trojans aren’t quite ready to crowd into the top four or five. But Thompson has the program steered in the right direction. His goal is to be competitive with the elite teams.

Bonners Ferry Badgers

1996 record: 0-14-0, 0-15-0

Current record: None

Coach: John Lindberg

Top returners: Amanda Fessler, sr., g; Lynsie Figgins, sr., mf; Carmen Troxel, soph., mf; Heidi Merrifield, sr., fb.

Newcomer: Stefanie Florea, frosh., mf.

Headers: Until Monday, Lindberg wasn’t sure if the Badgers would field a team. Four more players turned out, increasing the squad to 15.

Coach’s comments: “Nine of the girls are first-time players. Our goals have to be realistic. This is an opportunity for them to play, be a member of a team and work together.”

Outlook: Because of the slow turnout, the Badgers don’t open the season until Saturday. They’re coming off back-to-back winless seasons. A similar season is in store because of the inexperience. “We may not win, but these girls won’t quit,” Lindberg said.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Janee Andre, sophomore, striker, Coeur d’Alene Ali Chisholm, senior, midfielder, Lake City Jenny Harvey, junior, midfielder/stopper, Sandpoint Jeanne Russell, senior, goalie, Lake City Carmen Zobel, junior, halfback, Lewiston Teah Beckman, senior, defender/forward, Coeur d’Alene Holly Davidson, senior, halfback, Moscow Kara Kovatch, senior, midfielder, Coeur d’Alene