Spartans girl's soccer fall to Badgers

BONNERS FERRY — Priest River fell to the Bonners Ferry Badgers 3-1 on Tuesday.

The Spartans played with only nine players due to athletes having enough practices to compete. The Badger’s forwards and midfielders went on the attack, fighting for every 50-50 ball and gaining the return kick from the goalkeeper nearly every time.

Mia Blackmore playing for the Badgers scored in the first two minutes of the match. Before halftime the Badgers scored two more times in rapid succession.

As the Spartans kept the Badgers at bay, they had good looks on goal and scored at the end of the second half. Two Spartans had their feet on the ball for the scored goal: Lizzie McCracken and Cheyenne Thompson.

The Spartans had to make some quick changes on the field due to Cheyenne just recently being medically released. Leonard said they adapted beautifully.

Leonard said the Spartans will have a full team for Saturday’s game. She said the focus for the next game is goal scoring, passing and dribbling.

“[For passing] today wasn’t bad, but when they get tired you can see their passing go down,” Leonard said. “When their legs are fresh, their passes are good and they are trying to make goal kicks consistent.”

This year they are working on developing offense, Leonard said. It is only the second game of the season and Leonard is hopeful that the team will get where they need to be.

On Saturday, Aug. 27, the Spartans will play Stillwater Christian in Kalispell, Mont.