Badgers only give up one goal at state tournament, earn sportsmanship award

CALDWELL — In the first round of the state championship, Bonners Ferry and American Falls had to head to penalty kicks to decide the game after the teams were tied 0-0 in regular time. 

Bonners Ferry head coach Paul Bonnell said the game became a stalemate. 

“We were trying to put things together on offense, but they were disrupting our runs and we couldn’t quite convert,” he said. 

The Badgers advanced up the wing and made runs to goal, but the Beavers defense held them back. 

“Our corner kicks couldn’t pan out,” he said. “At one point I figured whoever scored first could ride it out.”

Instead, the Badgers and Beavers went into golden goal overtime – penalty kicks. America Falls narrowly edged Bonners Ferry, winning by 4-3. 

The Badgers were then pitted against Intermountain League opponent Coeur d’Alene Charter (12-6-3) in the consolation bracket.

In the regular season the Badgers went 2-1 against Charter and beat them for the district title 1-0 only the week before. 

The seventh-seeded Panthers got their revenge over the third-seeded Badgers as Joe Nicklay scored for Charter off a header in the first half, winning 1-0 over Bonners Ferry. 

Bonnell said the Badgers had strong enthusiasm in the second half, with Charter winning 50-50 balls. The rest of the game Bonners Ferry was looking to tie things up. 

When facing a league opponent at state, Bonnell said it’s a mixed bag.

“On one hand we know how they play, but they know how to play us,” he said, compared to American Falls, which the Badgers last faced two years ago. 

He added that having just beaten Charter in the district championship and then being pitted against them in the state tournament was a motivating factor for the team. 

“We had good efforts,” he said. “Soccer is 80 minutes of dynamic play. You substitute players in order for them to see openings on the field when they are on the bench. Charter adapted to us, just like American Falls did.”

“We were scored on once, that says a lot about our Badger defense,” he said. 

The Badgers earned the sportsmanship award.

Bonnell said this award shows how the boys carried themselves with the referees and other players. Additionally he said the Badger fans who made the trip down to Caldwell were encouraging and positive on the sidelines and state competitors took notice. 

He thanked all seniors and the whole team for their positive and hardworking attitude. He also thanked the assistant coaches for their dedication and support throughout the season.

In addition he thanked exchange students Milan Von Busekist and Albin Pierrot for the dynamic change they brought to the team. He added it was a pleasure to have them along for the state championship experience and cultural exchange amongst the season. 

CDA Charter 1, BF 0

COEUR d’ALENE CHARTER — Goals: Joe Nicklay 1. Assists: Taylor Smith 1. Saves: Mattis MacMillan 7.

BONNERS FERRY — Goals: none. Assists: none. Saves: Cardon Pluid 5.

Many of the state tournament games were just as close, Bonnell said this shows the talent at the state tournament and just how competitive the teams are. 

Overall, he said the state experience is great for the future of the program as underclassmen were able to attend the state championships. 

Coeur d’Alene Charter went on to play fourth seed Wendell (16-3-0), with Wendell winning 4-0 and earning the fourth place. 

American Falls went on to play second-seed Sun Valley, losing 2-0 and played fifth-seed McCall-Donnelly for third place. The Beavers took third winning by penalty kicks again, going 5-4. 

Top seed Sugar Salem and defending state champion, played Sun Valley in the championship game and won 2-1, earning their third straight 3A state championship.