PREP SOCCER: Badgers go 1-1 against Timberlake, sweep over the weekend

GIRLS

Badgers put up tough fight against No. 2 Timberlake

Timberlake 6, BF 2

Tuesday, Sept. 19

TIMBERLAKE — Badger girls soccer (4-3) played tough against Timberlake (6-1) on Tuesday, with goalkeeper Alexis Brown earning 20 saves in goal, but ultimately fell 6-2.

“The girls played exceptionally well against a tough team,” said Emily Winebark, Bonners Ferry head girls coach. “We had our best passing and communication game that we've had. The girls are really putting together some great give and goes and passing sequences.”

Alexis Brown had 20 tough saves in goal. Brenly Hymas scored the two goals for Bonners Ferry.

“Alexis Mierke had her best game yet,” Winebark said. “She started and played almost the whole game at midfield, really owning her space wherever she was.”

Badger girls soccer is currently ranked third in 3A District 1, with Coeur d’Alene Charter in first at 4-0 and Timberlake in second at 5-1.

Bonners Ferry played Lakeland on Wednesday, but due to the printing deadline the story will run online early and be in next week’s edition of the Herald.

Badger soccer will play Stillwater Christian at home on Friday, with both girls and boys programs playing varsity and JV games.

Badgers spread goal scoring against Bulldogs

BF 3, Grangeville 1

Friday, Sept. 15

GRANGEVILLE — Badger girls soccer scored three goals in the first half against the 3A District 1 Grangeville Bulldogs (0-6) on Sept. 15.

Winebark said the five-hour ride down to Grangeville affected the Badgers play, but they still came out on top. Badger goals were scored by Brenly Hymas, Nolie Hiatt, and Maddie Hart.

“Gia Roemer also had a really good game and played aggressive and tough at forward,” Winebark said. “Asha Abubakari had a strong defensive game as well.”

BOYS

Badgers and Tigers match ends in draw

Bonners Ferry 1, Timberlake 1

Tuesday, Sept. 19

TIMBERLAKE — The Bonners Ferry (5-3-1, 5-1-1) and Timberlake (5-4-3, 4-2-2) match-up ended in a draw on Tuesday night.

Eli Newell scored the lone goal for the Badgers. The Badgers are ranked second in 3A District 1, with Coeur d’Alene Charter ranked number one at 4-0.

Paul Bonnell, Bonners Ferry boys soccer head coach, also highlighted Badger junior varsity for going 1-2 against 5A Post Falls of the Inland Empire League. On Monday, Sept. 18. The game was 0-0 at half, with the Trojans scoring the game's first goal in the middle of the second half.

For the Badgers, Sam Genys scored in the final minutes, making it 1-1-.

The Trojans won after a kick on goal rocketched off a Badger defender, causing an own-goal, making it 1-2.

Bonnell said the Badgers felt good after such a close game against a 5A opponent.

Badgers score lone goal against Maniacs

Saturday, Sept. 16

BF 1, Orofino 0

OROFINO — Bonners Ferry defeated the 3A District 1 Orofino Maniacs (2-2-2) 1-0 off of a throw in by senior forward Eli Newell and a goal by junior forward Nikita “Nik” Rawson.

Paul Bonnell, Bonners Ferry head boys soccer coach, said the Badgers had several shots on goal, but had trouble putting the ball away. The Maniacs defense was also effective in shutting down the Badgers attacks.

After playing on the Real Life Fields against Coeur d’Alene Charter on Sept. 9, the Badgers had to adjust to the compacted field.

Although players were frustrated, they kept their cool and played their game, junior center fielder Eli Blackmore told Bonnell after the game.

The Badgers recollected and focused at half time, playing tough defense and holding the Maniacs scoreless.

Rawson earns a hat trick, Badgers defeat Bulldogs

Friday, Sept. 15

BF 3, Grangeville 2

GRANGEVILLE — Nikita “Nik” Rawson earned a hat trick against the 3A District 1 Grangeville Bulldogs (4-4) on Sept. 15, giving the Badgers the victory 3-2.

“We scored early, around the first 30 seconds,” Bonnell said. “A few minutes later, Grangeville challenged us and scored.”

At halftime the game was tied 2-2. In the second half Rawson scored for a third time off of an assist by Eli Newell.

The Badgers had made some changes in formation, particularly on defense moving from a diamond to a four man line. Bonnell said despite the changes in formation, the Badgers were able to pull off a win.