Girls soccer
5A
Lake City Timberwolves
2002 records: 16-2-2 overall, 10-1-1 league
Current records: 0-2, 0-1
Coach: Matt Ruchti
Years coaching: 2nd
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 7
Key players: Sam Lindsay, junior, midfielder; Lizzy Fraser, jr., defender; Holly Meyer, senior, forward; Elizabeth Young, jr., d; Melissa Bagen, sophomore, d.
Coach’s comments: “By the end of the year we’ll be in the middle of it all.”
Outlook: The Timberwolves have their work cut out to defend their regional title. That’s definitely the goal at LC.
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
2002 records: 7-11-1, 4-7-1
Current records: 3-0, 1-0
Coach: Tarragh Carr
Years coaching: 1st
Starters, lettermen returning: 8, 11
Key players: Kristi Astin, sr., mf; Kristen Lee, sr., mf; Maggie Smith, sr., d; Chauntae Roberts, sr., d; Tara Roetter, soph., mf; Chelsea Brown, sr., mf; Jaimee Myers, jr., f; Courtney Walker, soph., f.
Coach’s comments: “The girls are self-committed to practice. I love their camaraderie.”
Outlook: The Vikings have a nice blend of experience and youth to take them far into the postseason. CdA is slightly favored to dethrone regional champ LC.
Lewiston Bengals
2002 records: 5-12-1, 1-10-1
Current records: 2-1, 0-1
Coach: Greg Hilmes
Years coaching: 6th
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 8
Key players: Ashley Zenner, sr., gk; Brittney Devorak, soph., d; Lauren Einsphahr, sr., d.
Coach’s comments: “We have more speed and athletic ability than we’ve had in years. That’s very encouraging, but we’re extremely young. We only have four seniors. All the rest are sophomores and freshmen.”
Outlook: The Bengals’ program has made big strides. But Lewiston is chasing the firmly established programs at LC and CdA.
4A
Sandpoint Bulldogs
2002 records: 16-5-2, 10-1-1
Current records: 3-0, 3-0
Coach: Adam Tajan
Years coaching: 4th
Starters, lettermen returning: 9, 12
Key players: Kylie France, sr., mf; Abby Jensen, sr., mf; Elle Carne, sr., d; Allison Gillis, sr., f; Angie Menghini, sr., f; Kasey McKitrick, sr., d; Jessica Myers, sr., d; Margo Lane, sr., d; Brooke Donnelly, sr., f.
Coach’s comments: “The senior leadership as a team is outstanding. They’re hungry to (win a state title).”
Outlook: After seeing their string of state titles snapped last year, Sandpoint is poised to return to the top of the state heap.
Moscow Bears
2002 records: 12-7-1 (4A state runner-up), 9-3
Current records: 1-2, 0-2
Coach: Ben Twigg
Years coaching: 1st
Starters, lettermen returning: 6, 9
Key players: Jenny Tibbals, sr., mf/f; Mia Tibbals, sr., mf; Emma Schmidt, sr., mf; Lydia Beyerlein, sr., d.
Coach’s comments: “It’s a talented senior class (eight). The team has good chemistry off the field. We also have some good young players.”
Outlook: The Bears return a solid core from the team that finished runner-up at state. Moscow will find itself challenged by heavily favored Sandpoint and up-and-coming Lakeland.
Lakeland Hawks
2002 records: 7-9, 4-8
Current records: 2-1, 2-1
Coach: Mario Maddy
Years coaching: 9th
Starters, lettermen returning: 10, 15
Key players: Kayla Steigemeier, jr., f; Shawna Sanders, sr., f/mf; Katie Douglas, sr., mf; Keeva Duffey, jr., mf; Alisha Puckett, jr., mf.
Coach’s comments: “The core of the team was freshmen last year. They’re building with each game.”
Outlook: The Hawks will challenge Moscow for runner-up at regionals and the opportunity to earn a state berth in a play-in match.
Post Falls Trojans
2002 records: 7-12, 2-10
Current records: 2-2, 1-2
Coach: Julia Rendall
Years coaching: 7th
Starters, lettermen returning: 11, 15
Key players: Karli Kasun, sr., mf; Falon Dalton, sr., mf; Makayla Desjarlais, sr., gk; Erika Willy, jr., d; Erin Liberatore, fr., mf/f.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of senior leadership. They just need to make some better decisions. There’s a lot of pressure for us to do well because of that experience.”
Outlook: The Trojans believe they can challenge Sandpoint and Moscow. The seniors will have to carry the bulk of the load for that to happen.
3A
Bonners Ferry Badgers
2002 records: 16-5, 8-0
Current record: 0-1
Coach: John Lindberg
Years coaching: 1st in second stint as head coach
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 9
Key players: Bridgette Spalding, sr., mf; Molly Rivkin, sr., mf; Amanda Johnson, sr., d; Katie Eby, jr., d; Naomi Mills, jr., f; Jennifer Putman, soph., f; Emily Cipolla, soph., mf.
Coach’s comments: “I like their speed. They’re focused and committed.”
Outlook: The Badgers are still the team to beat in 3A. The other teams are still trying to close a considerable gap.
St. Maries Lumberjacks
2002 records: 3-14, 3-5
Current record: 0-4
Coach: Josh Chapman
Years coaching: 2nd
Starters, lettermen returning: 7, 10
Key players: Kelci Demarsh, jr., mf; Jessica Ware, sr., f; Jessica Beck, jr., d; Nancy Chapman, soph., f; Sarah Allen, soph., gk.
Coach’s comments: “They have a lot of potential. They just need to work as a team. We need to find our niche.”
Outlook: Chapman starts four freshmen and five sophomores, so the future is bright. The Lumberjacks made a lot of progress in Chapman’s first season and they should do so again this fall.
Priest River Spartans
Current record: 0-0
Coach: William Wayland
Key players: AshLee Rey, jr., mf; Tabitha Clark, freshman, mf; Elizabeth Hauritz, soph., d; Aly French, soph., d.
Outlook: The first-year program hopes to challenge Bonners Ferry for the district title and automatic state berth. Wayland is coaching the girls and boys teams.