Deep, unselfish Lake City boys open state with high hopes

Many are the reasons Chad Beadell likes his Lake City boys soccer team.

The least of those reasons is the Timberwolves take an unblemished record to state. It’s really just a by-product of all the good things Beadell appreciates about his boys.

Lake City (15-0) opens State 5A tournament play this morning against Centennial (16-1-2) at Idaho Falls.

The first thing Beadell likes is his team’s depth. It consists of seven seniors, eight juniors and five sophomores – all of whom contribute from match to match.

“This is the deepest team I’ve ever had,” said Beadell, who is in his 10th season coaching at his alma mater. “I usually keep 18 during the regular season and bring two more up to go to state. I’ve been playing easily 18 to 20 every match. That’s unheard of. In certain games that have been tighter there’s less time here and there. But I’ve been able to substitute frequently and keep everybody fresh and keep throwing bodies out there. It’s a testament to all the guys and all the work they’ve put in.”

Understandably, considering the depth, not one player has led LC offensively. There are four players with eight or more goals.

Seniors Max Mularski, Alec Maldanado, Kade Murphee, Cole Johnson and Shay Hannigan-Luther have played key roles this season but so have juniors Jack Barrett and Devon Hoffman.

Barrett, Hoffman and Hannigan-Luther were in the middle of things in the T-Wolves’ 8-0 win over Post Falls in the regional championship match.

“We came into the season knowing we could be a dominant team,” Barrett, a forward, said. “We finally learned how not I want to score but we need to score the goal. It’s all about the team.”

Barrett never expected to be undefeated going to state.

“I thought we might hit a few bumps in the road but we kind of played through those and never let down,” he said.

Hoffman agrees that depth is one of LC’s biggest assets.

“Our bench, with the five sophomores and all, there’s not a drop when they come in,” Hoffman said. “It’s the same tempo, it’s the same level of play.”

Another key element is the T-Wolves’ unselfishness.

“We know how to judge situations, when to be selfish and when to take opportunities and take advantage of the opponent,” Hoffman said.

It’s probably the biggest team that Beadell has had.

“We’re wearing the extra large jerseys,” Beadell said. “In recent years the jerseys have looked a little baggy. We’ve finally got some bigger boys. Along with the size they have athleticism and soccer ability.”

LC’s best finish under Beadell was fourth. This team has higher aspirations.

“We can win it,” Beadell said. “We have the right group of guys to do it. This team has been refreshing. These kids have been self motivated. They’ve been super focused. They put a lot of time and effort in the offseason and it’s carried over to the season.”

• The Lake City girls team is similar to the boys with lots of depth and talent.

Seven of LC’s eight seniors were instrumental in LC’s state championship two years ago. They want to finish with another title.

LC (14-2-1), with one of its losses coming to defending Washington 4A state champ Central Valley, opens state today against Eagle (15-2-2) at Idaho Falls.

A sophomore has led LC. Havana Johnson leads the T-Wolves with 23 goals.

But she’s had a lot of help from seniors Meaghan Bare, Maddi Ward, Courtny Hanson, Bailey Burgin, Natalie Wheelock, Alissa Jolliff, Aitana Vernon and goalie Tiegan Horton.

“They’ve been a fun group,” LC coach Matt Ruchti said. “They work hard and they’re great teammates. That’s a big part of why they’ve been successful.”