Monarchs down Rapids in North Idaho Cup

SANDPOINT — The Montana Rapids Premier of the Flathead Valley impressed with a young, talented squad full of collegiate players whose fitness tired the Monarchs first string and wore into the Monarchs’ deep bench.

Under solstice skies on sacred ground, the Green Monarchs Football Club preserved a second half lead and closed out the match again winning the annual North Idaho Cup 3-1 last Friday night at War Memorial Field.

During the opening minutes, the Green Monarchs were able to absorb and deflect the adrenaline fueled barrage of counter attacks until the Rapids pierced the Monarchs well armored defense, beating the keeper with a flick header on a free kick chipped into the center of the penalty box.

GMFC’s rhythm and timing improved midway through the second half, when a right flank attack drew a questionable penalty kick on an inadvertent handball in the penalty box. Reacting to the judgment call, a rightfully upset Rapid fan screamed “it pays to be a hero!” correctly insinuating the hometown team pays the ref. 

Continuing his annual scoring tradition, Sand Diego Sockers pro and veteran Green Monarch Evan McNeley laced in the PK upper right.

Five minutes later, Sandpoint’s Joab Logan turned on a dime, dribbling along the end line. In usual desperation the Rapid defender had to tackle and pulled Joab down resulting in yet another penalty kick. The foul was difficult for the nervous ref to call. Caught up in Memorial Field atmosphere, intoxicated by the new wave of momentum, the hometown Monarchs displayed a bout of poor on-field judgment when leadership assigned the young Monarch to further validate himself moments after his splendid performance in drawing the penalty kick. 

The keeper stood his ground, deflecting and saving the bulls eye shot, and retaking the momentum into halftime, still tied at 1-1.    

Fresh off the bench early in the second half, young Monarch Raleigh Hanson strategically framed the right side goal during a left flank attack. As the shot was saved and deflected far post, Hanson poked in a composed header sending the Monarchs and their fans into a rabid frenzy.

In the 70th minute, Logan again created his own destiny, this time seizing the opportunity and beating the keeper bottom right. Blue collar work ethic and hustle created the steal and breakaway goal. Carpe Diem.

The Monarchs displayed newfound wisdom and were able to close out the match, holding on for the 3 – 1 win. 

Home from his Norwegian professional years, Halvor Mikkelsen dominated the mid field for the aging Monarchs and proved to be a key reinforcement, as was infamous SHS alumni Tanner French.

The GMFC masters division Greys are entertaining team additions, and can be reached at www.facebook.com/GreenMonarchFC.