New coach to guide Spartan girls in 2018

PRIEST RIVER — New Spartan girls soccer head coach Rachel Davis takes over a team with just two seniors, a team hungry to improve upon last year’s 1-11-1 season under a coach who would love nothing more.

Davis played competitive soccer for 19 years while growing up in Northern California, including playing on a U.S. team from the ages of 15-20 years-old that played in five different countries.

She’s played soccer at a high level, and is eager to pass along some of her knowledge and love of the sport to both the Spartans and the community of Priest River.

“My team goals are to develop their skills and bring the girls closer as a team, and get the Priest River community more involved in soccer,” said Davis. “I’m looking forward to be able to teach theses girls the level of soccer that I was able to learn.”

Last year the Sparans beat 6-3 Grangeville for lone win last year, and tied St. Maries 4-4 for the highlights during a tough year of sledding in the Intermountain League as a new program continues to find its footing.

Leading the charge this year will be junior center-forward Karah Fink and senior right mid Jasmine Martin, two players who will be key to keeping possession and creating attacks.

“Karah has speed and quick feet, and strong foot,” described Davis. “Jasmine never gives up, and can cross beautifully.”

Sophomore goalie Makia Fitzmoris is learning how to stop all kinds of different shots, and will prove the last line of defense behind a back four that figures to get tested early and often in IML play.

A lot of the Spartans have played together in both soccer and other sports over the years, and that familiarity will be important as they learn a new coaching philosophy.

“The strength of this team is that I have a group of girls this year that have been playing soccer together for years,” said Davis. “They know how to read each other and become a better team every practice.”