Boys soccer off to good start

KALISPEL — Badger boys’ soccer played Stillwater Christian on Monday, but at time of press results were not in.

BONNERS FERRY — The Badgers beat Grangeville 5-0 on Friday, Aug. 26 in a non-league boys soccer game.

By halftime, the Badgers were up 4-0 after two goals each from Nick Eastman and Eli Newell. The Badgers adjusted and moved players around.

With 30 minutes left in the second half, Newell earned a hat-trick making it 5-0 over the Bulldogs.

Veteran Badger defenders Braedan Blackmore, Porter Schulte and Ridge Williams rotated in as forwards during the second half.

Head coach Paul Bonnell told the Bonners Ferry Herald that before the game the Badger coaching staff discussed playing athletes in different spots so they could gain an appreciation for the game and learn new skills and opportunities.

“Athletes were respective and they learned a lot,” he said. “We want to learn.”

Schulte, who typically plays defender, said after planning forward he “gained a lot of respect” for those who play the position. When asked if he would play forward again at a coach’s request, he said he would take “any opportunity to score.”

In response to Nikita Rawson being named athlete of the week, Bonnell said he is fast, coachable and has a great attitude.

The team is focusing on communication, passes and adaptability.

Bonnell said at half-time the team talked about how when the communication fell, they could tell from the sidelines.

“As soon as we started talking again, things came up,” he said. “And that’s what we are working on at practice, communication.”

He said those little crisp passes in the second half changed everything.

GOALS: N. Eastman 2 and E. Newell 3.

Badgers hold Spartans scoreless, winning 13-0

BONNERS FERRY — On Aug. 23, the Badgers boys soccer team attacked the Spartans defense and by the end of the night the Bonners Ferry squad scored a baker’s dozen of goals making it 13-0.

With Priest River being down two players, the Badgers attacked with a barrage of shots on goal in the first minutes of the match and took full advantage of the 11-to-nine player advantage.

Nikita Rawson scored for the Badgers in the ninth minute of the game. Jesse Dye followed with another goal and Rawson scored again making it 3-0 for the Badgers going into halftime.

After a brief halftime the Badgers opened the floodgates with Rawson earning his hat-trick in the first three minutes of the second half. Four minutes later, midfielder Nick Eastman attacked the goal making it 5-0. Eastman continued the assault on the Spartans a minute later, dribbling past three defenders and hitting the back of the net for a 6-0 Badger lead.

Off a corner kick, Braeden Blackmore, defender, headed the ball past the Priest River defense giving the Badger’s a seven point lead.

The Spartans put on a good show and played tough defense, but being down two players the Badgers always had an open man and fresher legs to run the field.

Eli Newell scored for the Badgers followed by Eastman sidestepping the keeper and walking in a goal, only to score again a few possessions later, making it 11-0. Newell scored again sending Bonners Ferry to more than a dozen goals scored.

Eil Blackmore fought in midfield and looked to score all match. His efforts paid off as he sank the final goal of the game.

Head coach Paul Bonnell said the Badgers adjusted well at half time and that prior they had issues with formation. He was impressed with how quickly the team adapted.

“[Goalkeeper] Roger Dahl had some nice saves throughout the match. He blocked a shot that was at the top of the goal that I thought was going to go in,” he said.

He added that the team’s corner kicks have improved and they are shooting more on goal rather than over the goal. Bonnell said the team’s focus is increasing fitness, communication and awareness on the field. More players will be eligible to compete as they accrue more practices.

He highlighted freshmen Chandler Swanson, Isaac Weaver and Logan Archibald have been great subbing on the wings.

“Badger defense is solid, but we’ll see when they face a more offensive team,” he said. “So far they have been great at getting goal kicks out of the air.”

Against Grangeville, the Badgers will have more of the same team dynamic, he said.

The Badgers will play Grangeville at home on Friday at 3 p.m.

“We’re off to a good start for the season,” he said.

Spartan head coach Nick Tucker said the first half the team was aggressive and pressing up. He said his coaching focus is offense and the former head coach focused on defense. It is a “culture change” for the young team and a different form of tactics.

Last year, Priest River graduated several seniors that were core to the program.

“Time and experiences will make a huge difference for this team,” he said.

The Spartans will play the Badgers at the end of the season. Tucker said at that time Bonners Ferry will meet a completely different team on the pitch.

GOALS

BF: N. Eastman 4, N. Rawson 3, J. Dye 2, E. Newell 2, B. Blackmore 1, E. Blackmore.