Monarchs’ crown reigns on

There may have been a smoky haze engulfing the storied Pend Oreille Cup this weekend, but that didn’t stop Sandpoint’s Monarchs, who claimed their second championship in as many weeks.

The Monarchs, with a lean squad of 8- and 9-year-old boys eked out five victories to earn gold medals in the hometown tournament.

The Monarchs notched a confidence-boosting 4-2 win over Missoula Surf, in a physical game that could have easily gone either way.

“Our warriors won the loose balls and had more stamina which proved the difference,” Monarchs coach Nick Myers said. “Surf was a well-coached, and better skilled team, with an incredible keeper.”

In the 5 p.m. match, the Monarchs struggled to finish opportunities, yet eventually squeaked out a 4-1 win over arch-rival the Coeur d’Alene Timbers. In typical Sandpoint fashion, the Monarchs’ high-tempo play and gritty defense eventually wore down the Timbers, with Sandpoint dominating the second half.

“Those Timbers were tactically and technically better,” coach Jennings Waterhouse said. “Yet our Monarchs time and again had more heart, and Rowin’s (Macdonald) tenacity was contagious. His determination is limitless. Greyson Reid’s technically perfect side volley, crossed in by Felix Carlson was arguably best goal of the tournament.”

With semifinals berth already in the bag, the lean Monarchs squad displayed humility, and a keen strategy during the Sunday morning third match of qualifying play. With the Monarchs semifinals opponent scouting the game from atop the spectator knoll, the game plan had boys alternating positions, working on new set plays, and conserving energy for afternoon playoff games. Sandpoint earned their third win 2-0 over Spokane Surf, with Avery McKoy-Bonner opening the scoring, and Garrison Markwardt posting a shutout as keeper. Will Hawn played well at center midfield. A beautifully executed set play initiated by Felix with Greyson whipping a rocket over the defenders and just under the crossbar from 18 yards out put Sandpoint up 2-0.   

With smoke hampering air quality, all tournament games were canceled, and a collective decision made to determine the playoffs by shootout, with each squad’s five best shooters alternating penalty kicks until a winner prevailed.  

Sandpoint’s coaching staff selected Kit Gaddess as keeper, a bold move considering the reliably impeccable tournament play of starting keeper Garrison Markwardt.

“Kit’s resiliency and positive attitude continues to be top notch. The mental pressures of a shootout where failures are part of the equation, with everything on the line, and 100 cheering fans … Kit is a brave-heart warrior,” Myers said.

With Greyson, Felix and Jacob Moren scoring their attempts, and Kit saving three of the four shots by Spokane, the Monarchs advanced to the finals on a 3-1 victory over Washington East, the same club the Monarchs barely bested in the recent River City Cup championship match.

The final also was decided by shootout, pitting Sandpoint versus Missoula Surf carrying the best keeper in the tournament. Surf took an early lead. With only Greyson and Rowin scoring, the Monarchs' fairy tale run was about to end until Kit’s quick reactions and strong hands again denied three Surf penalty kicks to force sudden death where the sixth shooter, Ryder Myers, rocketed a goal off the underside of the crossbar to seal the championship win.

“Back-to-back shootouts combined with smoke-laden conditions made for an extraordinarily rare experience, so this tournament is etched in memory for this program,” coach Lawson Tate said. “We have a composition of boys of varying skill levels and playing experience, with a newfound opportunity to be team leaders and carry responsibilities as starters. Their 10 games without a loss, and two tournament championships with 44 goals are nice metrics, yet the unquantifiable gems are the journey and growth of boys like Avery, Rowin, Will and Garrison. Raleigh and Jacob are pure heart and give 110% to protect their team. These boys and their families embrace challenges. These kids are selfless teammates and embody our team values.”