Vikings turn tables on Timberwolves

With the Inland Empire League girls soccer title locked up and regional seeding established, there wasn’t much for Coeur d’Alene to play for at Lake City on Thursday.

That is, unless you count pride, momentum and a cold plateful of revenge.

The Vikings (12-4-1 overall, 10-2 IEL) dominated the Timberwolves, winning 3-0 and avenging a 1-0 loss on a penalty kick to LC earlier this season.

Senior midfielder Tara Roetter, who scored CdA’s third goal, a spectacular sprint, stop and solid chip over goalkeeper Shannon Fraser from 15 yards out, spoke for her team after the win.

“There’s a lot of pride on the line any time we play them,” Roetter said of the crosstown rivalry. “And they beat us last time, so we wanted win this one.

“It may be the last time all of us seniors have a chance to play in a match against Lake City.”

Maybe and maybe not, as the 5A Region I tournament begins Monday with the No. 1-seeded Vikings playing host to No. 4 Post Falls and No. 3 Lewiston visiting the No. 2 seed Timberwolves in a pair of loser-out matches that both begin at 3:30 p.m.

A year ago, LC beat the Vikings 1-0 on a penalty kick in the championship game of that same tournament. Appropriately enough, a PK came into play again.

The Timberwolves (9-5-2, 6-5-1) were called for a hand ball in their box and junior midfielder Marissa Poorboy put Coeur d’Alene up 1-0 in the 16th minute, calmly booting the PK past Fraser into the right corner.

The 1-0 score held until the half, but, just 45 seconds after the break, the Vikings made it 2-0 when junior forward Kaylee Nowoj took the ball down the left side and beat Fraser on a medium-speed shot perfectly placed inside the far post.

Roetter’s goal, which came in the 63rd minute, was the last.

“That one was just a really pretty pass,” said Roetter of the goal, which officially came unassisted. “I thought I took too many touches, but I somehow got through, and I slotted it.

“I’m usually stay in space because I need to stay back on defense and I’m kind of cautious about moving up, but that time I just felt it and went.”

CdA coach Tarragh Carr, who said after the contest that there was no way she was going to let it be decided by a penalty kick, enjoyed the shot.

“It was a great goal, and Roetter does not score often, so when she does, it’s special,” said Carr. “She is a one-of-a-kind athlete that you don’t see all the time.

“She’s been an absolute pleasure to coach.”