SPARTAN ROUNDUP: Girls soccer captures 3A district win, falls in second round

Girls Soccer

- Monday, Oct. 9

Priest River 2, Grangeville 1

POST FALLS — Priest River was able to capture a win in the first round of the 3A District 1-2 Intermountain League Championship against Grangeville, 2-1 on Monday at the Fields at Real Life.

Marley Burgess-Duquette and Lizzie McCracken both scored goals in the second half to lift the Spartans to victory.

“A lot of credit to Grangeville, they improved a lot this season,” assistant coach Nick Tucker said.

Priest River moved on to face Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy on Tuesday.

CDA Charter 9, Priest River 0

POST FALLS — Priest River fell in the second round of the 3A District 1-2 Intermountain League Championship to No. 1 seed CDA Charter, 9-0 on Tuesday at the Fields at Real Life.

“CDA Charter is always a tough out and a very talented, disciplined team but we held with them for the majority of the first half,” Tucker said.

Although unable to record a goal, Tucker said the team had seven shots on goal against the Panthers on Tuesday.

“I’m incredibly proud of this team and the effort that they show game in and game out,” Tucker said. “I’m going to miss our seniors dearly but we have some great returners next season. I’m counting down the days until next August already.”

Priest River girls soccer had seven wins this year, the most the team has had in over a decade.

Boys Soccer

- Monday, Oct. 9

Timberlake 3, Priest River 0

POST FALLS — Priest River fell in the first round of the 3A District 1-2 Intermountain League Championship against Timberlake, 3-0 at the Fields at Real Life on Monday. Although it marked the official end of the season, first-year head coach Ryan Carruth had only great things to say about Priest River boys soccer.

“The boys played them tight in the first half and we went into halftime with the score knotted 0-0,” Carruth said. “Early in the second half we conceded a penalty kick and never really caught form, conceding two more goals as the second half wore along.”

Carruth said Carter Cook and Nathan Davis had standout performances in the backfield, Baylor White was terrific in goal, as he has been all season, and seniors Connor Stevens and Carson Hughes put in a solid performance up front.

“The guys should hold their heads high,” Carruth said.

It was just last week that Priest River faced Timberlake on senior night, falling just 2-1 to the Tigers. Although unable to get revenge Monday, Carruth said that both games were ones to remember.

“We scored a great goal in the first half to go ahead 1-0 from a beautiful cross played into the box by senior captain Carson Hughes which was finished off by a world class first time volley from senior captain Connor Stevens,” Carruth said in reference to last Thursday’s game against Timberlake. “What a memory for these guys on senior night — senior to senior for one of the best goals we've scored all season in front of a packed house at Spartan Stadium. I will never forget that night as long as I live.”

Carruth said that although the team wasn’t able to put together a complete 80-minute performance in either game, he believes they are on the cusp of that complete game, which will change the story for this team going forward.

“Good things are in store for this group — I believe,” Carruth said. “This season has been one of the most enjoyable I have ever had in my 20 years on the sidelines. These guys have poured their hearts into training, embracing new ideas and a new way to think about the game, and investing themselves fully into the relationships they are forming with each other. We are a family and the brotherhood that they have for each other is so much more important than the wins and losses.”

This season, the team’s mantra was a quote from legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden, "Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming."

Carruth said when you view success from this lens, only you know if you have done your best.

“We ask them every day to challenge themselves — to go home and ask themselves if they did the best to which they are capable,” Carruth said. “And if they can look themselves in the mirror and answer emphatically — Yes! — as they are brushing their teeth before bed, they'll be able to sleep easy and dream about scoring more goals.”

Carruth said the team seems to be really excited about the game of soccer, which was one of his many goals from day one.

“It seems they have an interest in getting together this winter, spring, summer and fall and working on their game to continue to grow and enhance the joy they can experience from this wonderful game,” Carruth said. “I look forward to pouring myself into these guys over the next few years. It is such a privilege for me to have the opportunity to get alongside such a wonderful group of kids and help them in their holistic growth on and off the field. Go Spartans.”

Volleyball

- Monday, Oct. 9

St. Maries 3, Priest River 2

PRIEST RIVER — Priest River fell to St. Maries in a five-set match (20-25, 22-25, 25-21, 26-24, 7-15) that came down to the wire at Priest River Lamanna High School on Monday.

After Saturday’s game against Riverside was canceled, the Spartans waited a couple more days to face off against the Lumberjacks. Just last Tuesday, Priest River fell to St. Maries in four close sets, and although unsuccessful this Monday as well, the team surely gave it their all.

“I cannot be upset with the team’s overall play,” head coach Katlyn Ward said. “Yes we had lows but these girls played great. Our last game was against St. Maries, and compared to that game, the girls really showed up tonight.”

Fittingly, on senior night, senior Helena White led Priest River with 16 kills. Toni Marinello led the Spartans behind the service line with three aces and Jayda Storro led the team in assists with 33. On defense, Aleigha Jensen posted a season-high nine blocks while Desi Humphrey recorded 16 digs.

Priest River (5-5, 1-4) will take on Orofino on Thursday in another 2A Central Idaho Conference matchup. The results from the Spartans’ conference matchup Tuesday against Kellogg came after deadline and will be reported with the Orofino match.