Badgers go 1-1 against Moscow and Stillwater

BONNERS FERRY — Junior mid-fielder Alexys Mierke scored Bonners Ferry’s lone goal in the final minutes against the Moscow Bears in non-league play Tuesday.  

Moscow was physical and had everything going for them, nabbing five goals in the first half. 

Badger keeper Hallie Thomson was busy in goal fending off the Bears' attack and had eight saves in the first 40 minutes.  

With less than two minutes left in the game, Badger senior forward Maddie Hart was fouled just outside of the box, allowing an off-side kick.  

Mierke made contact with the ball, scoring the Badger goal, her third of the season.  

Bonners Ferry head coach Emily Winebark said the team lacked confidence in the first half and we’re playing as individuals and not a team.  

The Badgers struggled to connect passes and advance past midfield, especially in the first half. However, they were strong on defense, catching the Bears offside over ten times.  

Marley Pauls and Violet Hyer were strong on defense, Winebark said.  

Winebark said the change in formation with two forwards instead of three was different and difficult for the Badgers.  

“This is the second game, we are working on our interactions,” Winebark said. “We need to meld as a team.” 

She said Maddie Hart had strong corner kicks, however, the Badgers didn’t score on any of them today.  

Bonners Ferry starts league play next Tuesday and will play away at Timberlake at 6 p.m.  

SEASON OPENER: Girls earned first season win over Stillwater 

BONNERS FERRY — Maddie Hart, the junior striker for the Badgers, had two early goals in the season opening 7-5 victory  over Stillwater Christian on Saturday, Aug. 24.  

The Badgers led 4-0 by the 26th minute, with additional scores by forwards DeNoalious “Nolie” Hiatt and Alexyz Mierke.  

Stillwater answered with a goal at the 36th minute mark, making it 4-1 at halftime.  

Nine minutes into the second half, Len Teele pushed the Badger lead to 5-1.  

Mierke earned her second goal of the day in the 62nd minute. Senior Brooke Petesch inbounded the ball to Maddie Hart, who passed back to Petesch and crossed in front of the goal.  

The Cougars returned notching two goals of their own in the middle of the second half, making it 6 –3, Bonners Ferry.  

Lil Therrien finished up the game scoring the Badger’s seventh goal with 16 minutes left in play. 

Bonners Ferry head coach Emily Winebark said the goal was exciting, particularly since it was Lil Therrien’s first game of soccer.  

Stillwater made a last-ditch effort in the final minutes, scoring an additional two goals.  

Bonners Ferry won 7-5 in non-league play.  

“Our goal today was getting everyone playing time,” Winebark said. “We tried different things and different positions, which did add some confusion, but we got a great picture of where everyone should be.” 

She said the Badges were able to execute an offside trap, which the team has been working on.  

The program has been working looking for new ways to score. Winebark said her favorite goal of the day was the throw-in pass and cross from Petesch with Mierke scoring. Creating new opportunities for offense is another way for the Badgers to be competitive.  

When it comes to defense, Marley Pauls at center defense was a driving force.  

“She controlled our defense, which is hard as a freshman,” Winebark said. “She communicated, chased down the ball and dished to out the ball without getting frantic.” 

Bonners (1-0) hosts 5A Moscow (0-0) in non-league play on Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. 

Bonners Ferry 7 

Stillwater 5 

First half — BF 4, S 1. 

Second half —BF 3, S 4. 

The Badgers are in step with 4A IML-CIL opponent Timberlake (1-0) which defeated Stillwater Christian 10-1 on Friday, August 23.  

Lucy Simpson recorded a hat trick and had two assists. 

Paige McConkey, Hassadah Davis and Naomi Beuving had two goals each for Timberlake, which hosts Coeur d’Alene Charter on Thursday. 

Also, on Friday, Coeur d’Alene Charter defeated Coeur d’Alene High Schools’s JV team, 4-2, freshman Brooks Judd scored two goals and senior Isaac Hines had two assists for the Panthers in a season-opening win over the Vikings.  

Charter is 2-0 after defeating St. Maries 9-0 on Saturday, August 24. Junior Reagan Meine recorded a hat trick, all in the second half, for the Panthers against the Lumberjacks in the season and Intermountain League opener for both schools at St. Maries High. 

Timberlake hosts CDA Charter on Thursday.  

    Violet Hyer fights for the ball against Stillwater Christian at the season opener on Aug. 24.