Boys soccer continues to improve, second in league

BONNERS FERRY — BFHS boys soccer tied 1-1 against visiting Timberlake on Tuesday, Sept. 14, but continues to look strong and make strides toward improvement.

In the match against Timberlake, the Tigers scored a first-half goal, and it took until the second half for Badgers to respond and score a goal to tie the game.

The Badgers lost at Coeur d’Alene on Sept. 9, 3-0, and earlier in the week won against the Priest River Spartans 4-1. However, the Vikings scored three goals, with Badgers unable to catch up from the point deficit.

Currently, the Badgers have a 5-1-2 overall record and a 4-0-2 league record, placing them second in the 3A District 1 division.

In the match against Priest River Spartans, the Badgers saw what worked and did it in their 4-1 win. According to coach Paul Bonnell, the team is working on passes, wings and control in the midfield to work on the momentum.

“It felt like Priest River was applying pressure but the team started running a lot,” Bonnell said. He added that his team needed to control the ball and slow down the speed of the game.

In the Priest River matchup, Badgers were slow in the second half but, in the end, found the ability to control the ball and slow the pace of the game, which worked in the Badger’s favor.

Nick Eastman and Peter Regan both scored two goals each in the match. However, Bonnell stated the wing play is essential and that shots from the wings instead of just strikers helped.

“We’re not just trying to rely on the strikers,” Bonnell said.

Bonnell said he is glad about the improvement by Isidro Perez, shifting the momentum in being in midfield and looks forward to his continued growth.

The Badgers hit the road for two conference matchups, at St. Maries on Sept. 18, and against Couer d’Alene Charter at the Real Life Ministries fields in Post Falls on Sept. 20.