Local soccer teams compete

• Rec League U10 Girls

The undefeated Leprochauns paired up against the also undefeated Nessies Saturday. The Nessies were full steam ahead and had six shots on goal before the Leprochauns could get their first. Hadley Marshall and Amelia Straus as Leprochaun goalies rejected many attempted shots. 

For the Nessies, Rebekah, Abby and Kiki were in control and the passing was super. Nessies Cassie and Baile were strong on defense and the Leprochauns forwards Danika Tomazich, Sarah Brown, Khloe Kyllonen and Ashley Scott just could not get a clean shot off. The Nessies goalies were also busy and had many saves. Finally, 20 minutes into the first half, Danika Tomazich scored on a solo run from mid circle after stealing the ball from the defense and scored from 12 feet out with a kick into the high corner of the net. The half ended 1-0 Leprochauns. 

In the second half, the Nessies Rebekah scored to tie it up and then a few minutes later the Nessies scored again making it 2-1. Leprochauns Lindsay Guthrie, Sage Davis and Kareen Pierce stepped up the defense, not allowing the Nessies to get back up the field, even with the fantastic Nessie effort late in the game by Paula, Nina and Nichol on defense. The Leprochauns, fought up the field and Hadley Marshall scored the final goal, despite the fine efforts of Hannah, who had no chance of saving it. Both teams are still undefeated. This was one of the best games the cold bystanders have ever seen in this league.

•  Rec League U14 - Rattlers v. Cobras

The Rattlers won their 4th game on Oct. 11 with a final score of 2 – 1. In their 2nd outing against the Cobras, who won the first outing, both teams, who practice together, faced off for this match with marked determination, resulting in a scoreless second half.

Teamwork was definitely in place for the Rattlers offense and defense. Forward Nikole Alamillo was able to penetrate the Cobras defense for both of the Rattler goals in the first half. Offensive players Carson Nygren, Alicia Heigis and Christopher O'Donnell's goal attempts missed by inches or were denied by Cobras defense. Aggressive offense by Chris Moes, Maddie Chapman, Liz Kovalchuk and Nick Emery made for an exciting game.

Defenders Brianna Brown, Alyssa Emery, Lizzy Branson, Carson Nygren and Kadin Phillips as goalie were successful in holding the Cobras to a single goal. Great game.

•  Strikers U10 Black and Red

In a game that should have been broadcast nationally, the U10 Black team went head to head against the U10 Red team. It was a great match but in the end, the Red team grabbed the bragging rights for the next few months. The Black team generated numerous scoring opportunities but failed to take advantage of some great offensive buildups. At times the Black team's possession game was fantastic. They went wide and if it was on, they attacked. Other times they dropped and looked to switch.

Cale Bandelin was brutal in his attacking runs. Bandelin was off and down the sidelines and that cause general havoc in the backfield for the Red team. Gabriel Hererra was similarly wicked and crafty while he blazed runs on the outside. Zion Reichold was brilliant as Striker. Reichold held for support and dished off to the mids coming up to support. His decisions helped he Black team maintain possession. Ben Schwartz and Jack Rinck both played well on the defensive back line. Both Schwartz and Rinck were attacking from the backline and sending balls forward to their teammates. Riley Ward had some nice footwork on the field. His control in tight spaces was working well and that allowed him to maintain possession. Patrick Rockwell had great field vision. His distribution of the ball was beautiful. He found feet on several through balls. Luke Koch was tough to handle for the Red team. Time and time again he attacked. Koch had sweet pull behind in traffic that would have been replayed if the game had been broadcast. Julian Barajas made some dazzling saves and had some booming kicks from goal. Amos Crossingham showed some deft footwork in very tight spaces. He was able to turn in pressure, maintain control and bring the ball forward. Crossingham's footwork has improved all season long.

•  Strikers U12 boys team   

There was definitely a fall nip to the air last Saturday when the U12 boys hosted Moscow United at Travers Park.

Brett Hutchens (playing forward) was the first to score for Sandpoint; the Moscow keeper bobbled a catch and Hutchens was there to smash the ball into the back of the net. Kix Kamp scored next for the Strikers and although Kamp had several beautiful shots on goal during the course of the match, it was again a dropped ball that Kix was able to walk in with.

Erik Tollefson came alive in the second half of the game with multiple runs down the left side of the pitch, one of which culminated in an overlapping assist from Tanner McNelley and a goal for Tollefson.  Tyler Meyer (alternating as forward/midfielder) tackled aggressively, creating offensive opportunities for Sandpoint.    

Meanwhile, defenders Andy McGinnis, Brandon Heitstuman and Jared Cooper along with goalkeeper Cooper Spalding conducted a defensive seminar in the backfield, limiting an extremely quick Moscow forward to just on goal. Both Cooper and McGinnis also worked into the offense, exhibiting their speed and involving themselves in several of the aforementioned goals.

The latter portion of the game also saw full field breakaways from Collin Fitzgerald and Tim Hall (playing midfield) up the right and left sides respectively. Anthony Walker also played forward and managed to keep multiple Striker drives intact.

The U-12 boys will be taking this weekend off for well earned break.

A Kick in the Grass is a coach-submitted column encapsulating the local youth soccer scene in Sandpoint. It runs every Thursday during soccer season in the Daily Bee.