Lc Gets Physical On Cda Timberwolves Roll To 3-1 Win Over Vikings

Physical play was the name of the game as the Lake City High girls soccer team defeated cross-town rival Coeur d’Alene 3-1 in a non-league match Thursday afternoon.

With elbows, hips and often times bodies flying all over the field, it was clear that emotions were running high throughout the match.

The Timberwolves struck early when junior midfielder Katie Quinn scored an unassisted goal 5 minutes into the game.

After playing even for the next 25 minutes, Viks senior midfielder Liz Hail got a breakaway attempt on LC goalkeeper Chase Sbicca. It appeared Sbicca grabbed the ball and held on as Hail tried to shoot a second time. The referee called a foul on Sbicca, and Hail easily put the free kick into the upper right corner of the net.

Thirty seconds before half, LC junior forward Nicki Lyon scored on an assist from forward Brynn Bemis.

“For Brynn to come up front and play like that for us as a freshman backup goaltender was awesome,” LC coach Jennifer Bengtson said.

At half, Bengtson called for some “warrior female energy” from her team in the middle, and junior forward Hillary Chisholm and sophomore midfielder Kaitlin Mitchell responded, hooking up for a goal by Chisholm 4 minutes into the second half.

No one player dominated for LC, as many players contributed well-placed passes throughout the match.

“Lake City has a strong team,” Coeur d’Alene first-year coach Dixie Wachter said.

And a deep roster, too. With 17 players, LC was able to keep a steady dose of fresh legs in the match. The T-Wolves were on the offensive attack, drilling 17 shots toward Vik goaltender Brynne Gatten. She saved 14.

“Our back three (Katie Witham, Megan Holmes and Andie Lindsay) played tremendous,” Bengtson said. “They initiated the attack.”

The Vikings didn’t play a bad match, they just didn’t have the energy they needed to compete through the second half. With 14 players suited up - and many of whom were injured - it was clear that they were having trouble staying up.

“It (the injuries) affects everyone,” Wachter said. “They play with a lot of heart. You’ll see a difference when we get healthy.”

“After we get comfortable playing as a team,” Witham said, “we’re going to win state.”