Girls Soccer Preview
A-1 Division I
Lake City Timberwolves
1999 records: 16-4-1 overall, 9-1 league (co-champ)
Current record: 2-0
Coach: Jennifer Bengtson
Years coaching: 3rd
Returning lettermen, starters: 10, 10
Key players: Katie Quinn, junior, midfielder; Kaitlin Mitchell, sophomore, mf; Nicki Lyon, jr., forward; Megan Holmes, senior, defender; Hillary Chisholm, jr., d/mf; Ashley Troxel, jr., mf; Chase Sbicca, jr., goalkeeper.
Coach’s comments: “We could go very far this year. But we have a lot to work on. Now we just have to put it all together. This week will be a true measure of how talented we are.”
Outlook: What the week should show Bengtson is her team is the team to beat in North Idaho and will challenge for a state title. What’s more, the nucleus of the team is juniors.
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
1999 records: 17-3-1, 9-1 (co-champ)
Current record: 2-1
Coach: Dixie Wachter
Years coaching: 5th, first at CdA
Returning lettermen, starters: 8, 4
Key players: Kai Sharbono, jr., sweeper; Rachel Seitz, jr., stopper; Rebecca Schmidt, sr., d; Liz Hail, sr., mf; Jamison Link, jr., mf/gk; Kelly Hauck, soph., f; Erica Hauck, jr., mf; Valerie Hughes, jr., d.
Coach’s comments: “We just need to get used to each other and jell as a team. That’s our challenge.”
Outlook: New coach, new system, several new players. Still the Viks will be competitive, particularly so by season’s end.
Lewiston Bengals
1999 records: 8-11, 4-6
Current record: 1-2
Coach: Greg Hilmes
Years coaching: 2nd
Returning lettermen, starters: 9, 9
Key players: Heidi Oakes, jr., f/mf; Jacie Nesset, sr., mf; Emily Benson, jr., f; Carrie Keller, sr., gk; Heidi Schiweck, fr., f.
Coach’s comments: “We’re in a very difficult league. But I have some kids who are very committed to working hard.”
Outlook: Lewiston is still behind the times. While most other teams have strong feeder/community programs, Lewiston is just beginning to establish youth teams. That’s why the Bengals will continue to chase the powers.
A-1 Division II
Sandpoint Bulldogs
1999 records: 11-7-1, 8-2
Current record: 1-0
Coach: Charlie Bell
Years coaching: 3rd
Returning lettermen, starters: 7, 4
Key players: Amanda Cravens, sr., f; Kirstin Scheffler, jr., mf; Jillian Sturm, sr., d; Rebbecca Sturm, soph., f; Jenna Gann, jr., d.
Coach’s comments: “I like our chemistry. It’s a young team, but most have played club together.”
Outlook: The Bulldogs are the team to beat in Division II. Sandpoint should make some noise at state, too.
Moscow Bears
1999 records: 11-7-1, 6-4
Current record: 1-1
Coach: John Kuska
Years coaching: 2nd
Returning lettermen, starters: 13, 11
Key players: Elise Booth, sr., d; Cheyenne Brown, sr., d; Emily Mues, jr., d; Chelsea Zenner, jr., f; Eija Hodgin, soph., mf; Casey Hursh, jr., mf.
Coach’s comments: “I’ve been pretty impressed with our possession game. We definitely are looking to be on the attack all the time.”
Outlook: Bears return a lot of experience and should give Sandpoint its toughest test and earn a state berth.
Post Falls Trojans
1999 records: 7-10-1, 3-6-1
Current record: 0-2
Coach: Julie Rendall
Years coaching: 3rd
Returning lettermen, starters: Not available
Key players: Katy Ridenour, soph., f; Brennah Atkinson, sr., f; Nichole Billetz, sr., mf; Missy Brady, sr., d; Tawny Moore, sr., f; Shelby Phelps, jr., d; Becky Thompson, sr., mf; Trish Wagner, sr., d; Coleen Campbell, jr., f.
Outlook: The Trojans made strides last year and should continue to do so this season. They could challenge Moscow for state berth.
Lakeland Hawks
1999 records: 4-9-2, 2-6-2
Current record: 1-1
Coach: Mario Maddy
Years coaching: 5th
Returning lettermen, starters: 6, 6
Key players: Erica McNamara, sr., mf; Lyndee Arnold, soph., mf; Micki DesMarais, jr., f; Stacey Douglas, jr., f; Lindy Bonthius, jr., d.
Coach’s comments: “We don’t have any star players, go-to players. We’re working toward being a ball-control team.”
Outlook: The Hawks are still building. They have plenty of athletes, but none have a lot of soccer skills.
A-2
Bonners Ferry Badgers
Current record: 0-2-1
Coach: Cathy Thompson
Years coaching: 1st
Returning lettermen, starters: 7, 5
Key players: Lina Brostrom, sr., f; Stefanie Florea, sr., gk/f; Lara Thompson, jr., mf/d; Jessica Stuberg, jr., gk.
Coach’s comments: “Things are getting better and better. We have a lot of new players to the sport.”
Outlook: The Badgers will play primarily against A-1 junior varsity teams. If they show improvement, they may exercise option of automatic berth to state.
This sidebar appeared with the story: What’s new
The sport, formerly governed by the Idaho Youth Soccer Association, is now governed by the Idaho High School Activities Association. State A-1 Division I and Division II tourneys will be held Oct. 26-28 in the Boise area.
Shorter matches. State high school rules call for 80-minute matches (40-minute halves). That’s a change from 90-minute matches (45-minute halves). Another alteration calls for referees to stop the clock for substitutions, goals, injuries, infractions.
A point of emphasis this year is cursing. Red cards were issued frequently for that during opening matches last week.