PR Roundup: Soccer teams gearing up for districts, volleyball returns to action

PRIEST RIVER — COVID-19 shook up the Priest River sports schedule over the past week as a handful of events were canceled or postponed due to pandemic-related issues.

Last Thursday, home boys and girls soccer matches against Intermountain League foe Coeur d'Alene Charter were forfeited. The high school was closed on that day due to a COVID-19 related staff shortage. That also prevented the cross country team from competing in the Ben Castro Invitational on that day.

On Saturday, the Spartans' home football game against Orofino was canceled because the Maniacs decided not to make the trip up due to COVID-19 concerns.

The volleyball team didn't hit the court at all last week because they had too many players in quarantine, forcing a pair of matches to be postponed.

Despite all that, there was still some Spartan sports to report on. Here's a roundup of all the action:

Boys soccer

Priest River came up just short against Timberlake on Tuesday night for the second time this season, falling 2-1 at PRLHS.

Tyler Engelson scored the sole goal for the Spartans, who outshot the Tigers 14-13.

Priest River lost at Timberlake 3-2 on Sept. 9.

The Spartans rolled to an 8-0 league victory over Grangeville at home on Friday.

Senior Bradley Gleason tallied a hat trick and two assists to lead the way. Senior Bowen Fegert finished with a goal and two assists, junior Zach Engelson scored two goals and freshman Tyler Engelson had two assists. Shane Gamber and Carson Hughes each added a goal.

Priest River (6-6, 5-5 IML) heads to Coeur d'Alene Charter at 7 p.m. today and Grangeville at 2 p.m. Saturday to wrap up regular season play. The 3A District 1-2 tournament begins Monday at The Fields at Real Life Ministries in Post Falls. Seeding for the tournament will be determined in the coming days, but the Spartans will likely be the fourth seed in the seven-team tournament.

First half — 1, PR, Zach Engelson (Bradley Gleason), 13:00. 2, PR, Bowen Fegert (unassisted), 17:00. 3, PR, Gleason (Tyler Engelson), 20:00. Second half — 4, PR, Gleason (T. Engelson), 47:00. 5, PR, Z. Engelson (Gleason), 57:00. 6, PR, Shane Gamber (unassisted), 59:00. 7, PR, Gleason (Fegert), 65:00. 8, PR, Carson Hughes (Fegert), 70:00.

Shots — Grangeville 3, Priest River 22.

Saves — Grangeville, unknown 15; Priest River, Luke Butler 1.

Girls soccer

Timberlake secured a season sweep of the Spartan girls soccer team on Tuesday night with a 5-0 victory.

This past Friday, Priest River suffered a 4-1 IML defeat to Grangeville on its home turf.

Sophomore Rebecca Sedbrook scored an unassisted goal on a direct kick in the first half for the Spartans.

Principal Matt George served as the head coach for the match and said the Spartans just couldn't capitalize on their opportunities.

"We did so many things right," he said, "but just were not quite able to make some key passes to lead to offensive threats."

George said goalkeeper Brooklyn Best made several incredible saves on Grangeville breakaways.

"The girls continue to improve every day," he said.

The Spartans (3-10-1, 1-7-1 IML) host the Lakeland junior varsity team at 3 p.m. Thursday and travel to Grangeville at noon Saturday to conclude regular season play. The 3A District 1-2 tournament starts Monday and seeding is still being determined. The Spartans will likely be the No. 5 seed in the six-team tournament.

Volleyball

Priest River picked up its first IML victory of the season on Tuesday, taking down Coeur d'Alene Charter in straight sets, 25-18, 25-20, 25-16.

It was the Spartans first time on the court since the Lakeside Chivalry Tournament on Sept. 25.

Priest River lost to the Panthers in three sets in their first matchup on Sept. 16.

Desarai Humphrey had 33 assists and three aces, Addisen Kingery recorded a team-high 10 kills, Brodie Hansen four kills and three aces, Allyson Barton six kills and three blocks, Ethnee White six kills and two blocks, Ona Rose five kills and two aces, and Abigail Shockey three kills and three digs. Helena White added three kills.

Priest River (1-7, 1-3 IML) hosts Kellogg at 7 p.m. today and Timberlake at 7 p.m. next Tuesday.

Cross country

Three Spartans completed the 5K course at the fourth annual Battle for the 509 in Cheney, Wash., on Saturday.

Junior Annie Morrell ran a personal record of 23:26 to place 28th out of 138 runners in the girls junior varsity race. Her time is currently eighth best in the Intermountain League.

Juniors Dylan Lord and Ethan Korff participated in the boys JV race. Lord finished 47th and Korff grabbed 176th out of 300 runners.

Priest River will compete in the Round Lake Dual at 4 p.m. next Tuesday.

Football

The Spartans (0-4) travel to Timberlake at 7 p.m. Friday to open league play.

Priest River hosts Bonners Ferry for Homecoming at 7 p.m. next Friday.