POST FALLS - The race for the 5A Inland Empire League boys soccer top seed to the regional tournament got a little closer following the Post Falls Trojans' 1-0 win over the Coeur d'Alene Vikings at Post Falls High on Thursday.

Freshman Timmy Mueller scored on an assist from Nathan White in the 22nd minute to account for the game's only goal for Post Falls (8-1-1, 2-1 5A IEL).

"It wasn't just me today," Mueller said. "This was an entire team effort today."

Lawson added that White helped keep the Trojans on the attack.

"Nathan was our MVP of the day," Post Falls coach Gabe Lawson said. "He was the orchestrator of our offense and set Timmy up with a nice shot.

"It was a good battle today. Our defense was a lot better today than the last time we played (a 2-0 Coeur d'Alene win)."

Post Falls defender Scott Benner held Coeur d'Alene leading scorer Adam Borsheim without a clean shot at the goal.

"Scott just absolutely shut him down," Lawson said. "We knew we'd have to take him out of the game to have a chance to win."

With the win, Post Falls moves a half-game behind Coeur d'Alene for first place in the league, with three more matches to play.

"It doesn't get any easier for us," Lawson said. "But we've got to continue on this road to get where we want to go."

Post Falls still has two matches with Lake City and a home date with Lewiston on Oct. 2.

Coeur d'Alene (7-2-1, 3-1) had nine shots on goal, with a free kick by Joel Wasserman coming up just short in extra time.

"We played hard today," Coeur d'Alene coach Jeff Lake said. "We just didn't get the ball in the net. We'll regroup and get better from this."

The Vikings played without captain Drew Morgan, who was out of town at a wedding.

"I feel good about the rest of the season," Lake said. "We played good enough to win - but couldn't get the ball in the net."

On Saturday, Post Falls hosts Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene hosts Northwest Christian.

First half - 1, PF, Timmy Mueller (Nathan White), 22:00. Second half - none.

Shots on goal - Cd'A 9, PF 5.

Saves - Cd'A, Keagan Schillington 2. PF, Monty Boyd 8.