Badgers earn 3A title

Miguel Mendez scored on a penalty kick late in the second half Saturday to propel Bonners Ferry to its first State 3A boys soccer championship with a 3-2 victory against Payette at Buhl High School.

The Badgers weathered fierce winds and two Payette goals in the second half. Raul Barroso scored in the 51st and 53rd minutes on wind-assisted free kicks to tie the score at 2.

The score remained tied until the 70th minute when Mendez was pushed down in the box and earned a penalty kick.

Mendez, a junior who totaled 35 goals and 15 assists in the regular season, slotted the ball in the lower-right corner.

Mickal Krause opened the scoring for Bonners Ferry in the sixth minute after receiving a pass from Mendez. Rob Hart made the score 2-0 in the 18th minute. Mendez also assisted on Hart’s goal.

After making the tournament eight of the last nine years, Bonners Ferry finally made it to the championship game.

Last year, Bonners Ferry fell 3-2 in the consolation championship to Community School. The Badgers placed third in 2001.

4A

Moscow received a goal from Graham Lundgren, but lost 2-1 to Burley in the consolation championship game at the Bannock County Fairgrounds in Pocatello. Victor Del Toro and Carlos Gil scored for Burley.