Boys soccer to play at state competition

The Badger boys soccer team has the chance to repeat history at the state competition today.

At districts, the Badgers went on to win against Grangeville and Orofino. However, in the finals, the Badgers fell to the Timberlake Tigers in overtime where the game was decided by penalty kicks.

Oct. 20, the Badgers will again face the Sugar-Salem Diggers in the first round of state competition in Match 2 at 10:45 a.m. (MT) in Twin Falls. In 2021, the Diggers defeated the Badgers 4-0 and went on to win the state title.

Currently, Sugar-Salem is 15-2 and 5-1 in the 3A District VI. Badgers are 10-2 in conference and 15-2-2 overall.

Timberlake is in Match 3 against Teton. If both the Badgers and the Tigers win they will face off against each other in the semi-finals.

3A bracket

At Sunway Soccer Complex, Twin Falls

Thursday’s matches

Match 1 — No. 2 seed McCall-Donnelly (12-0-2) vs. No. 7 American Falls (13-3-2), 7:30 a.m.

Match 2 — No. 3 Sugar-Salem (16-2-0) vs. No. 6 Bonners Ferry (15-2-1), 9:45 a.m.

Match 3 — No. 4 Teton (15-2-1) vs. No. 5 Timberlake (13-2-1), noon

Match 4 — No. 1 Wendell (16-1-0) vs. No. 8 Kimberly (11-7-0), 2:15 p.m.

Friday’s matches

Match 5 — Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2, 7:30 a.m. (loser out)

Match 6 — Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4, 9:45 a.m. (loser out)

Match 7 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, noon (semifinal)

Match 8 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 2:15 p.m. (semifinal)

Saturday’s matches

Consolation championship

Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6, 9 a.m.

Third-place match

Loser Match 7 vs. Loser Match 8, 11:30 a.m.

Championship match

Winner Match 7 vs. Winner Match 8, 2 p.m.

District recap

For the first round of Districts the Badgers played Grangeville.

“We played a solid game, and it was good to post enough of a lead to play deep into our substitutes to give several players a range of experience in district play,” said head coach Paul Bonnell. “Moreover, I am glad that we found scoring opportunities where we could. It was great to have a score by junior Chandler Swanson, and we were pleased that sophomore Nik Rawson was able to play after taking a break due to an injury.”

Oct. 14 against Orofino, the Badgers played with the same competitive spirit that they have had all season, Bonnell said.

“Consistent defense and midfield control helped contribute to that win and a State berth along with a chance to play in the District 1 championship game,” he said.

On Saturday, Oct. 15 the Badgers competed in the district championship game against Timberlake.

“We found ourselves in a 0-3 deficit early on in the game, due to Timberlake’ assertive play and the reality that we were playing a bit of a stale game. A quick response by our offense led to a score by junior Eli Newell, and we went into the half with the realization that we had our work cut out for us,” Bonnell said.

The Badgers played with high intensity and energy in the second half and their early season emphasis on fitness proved beneficial, as they rallied with a strong, possessive game. The Badgers scored four goals, with a tied score at the end of 80 minutes and moved to overtime play.

“It was anyone's game for two "golden goal" overtime periods,” Bonnell said.

Neither team scored and so it went to penalty kicks. Timberlake narrowly edged Bonners Ferry scoring 5-4.

“Our coaching staff was happy with how we pulled things together in that second half, which led us to the state tournament,” Bonnell said.

Looking forward to the first state game against the Sugar Salem Diggers on Thursday, Bonnell said the team is excited for the chance to play and compete.

“If we are able to play with the same level of competitiveness and team effort, I think we will be able to do well,” he said. “We have a better level of fitness compared to last year and when we are playing with a team dynamic based on communication and positional awareness, we have the potential to play well. It will be critical for us to be able to adapt as the games unfold.”