POST FALLS - They've been knocking at the door for the past three years, but this time around - someone answered it for the Post Falls Trojan boys soccer team.

Sophomore Timmy Mueller scored two goals and had an assist as the top-seeded Trojans defeated the second-seeded Lake City Timberwolves 3-0 in the 5A Region 1 championship match at Post Falls High to claim their first regional title in school history.

“I think we were just tired of not getting it done,” said Post Falls coach Gabe Lawson after having a bucket of water dumped over his head following the win. “We had to defend our unbeaten record and home field. We’ve been hunting for this for the past two years.”

Both teams had already qualified for state, and were playing for seeding.

Post Falls (16-0-2) will open the state 5A tournament Thursday against Centennial (8-4-5) at 1 p.m. (PDT) at Eagle High.

“We wanted the afternoon game,” Lawson said. “This is what we’ve been looking for all season long.”

Lake City (9-6-2) opens against Mountain View (15-1-1) of Meridian on Thursday at 8 a.m. at Rocky Mountain High.

“Our guys need to step it up right now,” Lake City coach Chad Beadell said. “Everyone needs to get on the same page. Good luck to Post Falls next week. They came out on fire today and played a great game.”

Mueller opened the scoring with a header off a corner kick by Reece Jackson in the ninth minute for Post Falls. Mueller added another goal at the start of the second half to give him 23 for the season and eight assists.

“This feels great,” Mueller said. “I didn’t get to go the last time we qualified for state (in 2009). To experience it will be amazing.”

“Today was Timmy as usual,” said Lawson of the sophomore forward. “He’s had a stellar season and was in on all three scores today. He was kind of out of his mind today, pressing everything.”

Mueller, who also kicks for the football team, will miss Friday’s matchup at Coeur d’Alene instead of trying to be in both places.

“The soccer team can do something great this year,” Mueller said. “I owe it to them to be there. My football coach really likes that I can do both.”

Tanner Horton had six saves for Lake City.

“Those errors we had today they took advantage of,” Beadell said. “They executed today on them. We’ve got one of the best goalies in the state, but it was just one of those days.”

First half — 1, PF, Timmy Mueller (Reece Jackson), 9:00. 2, PF, Cole Jesienouski (Mueller), 29:00. Second half — 3, PF, Mueller (Jackson Redline), 41:00.

Shots on goal — LC 5, PF 11.

Saves — LC, Tanner Horton 6; PF, Scott Benner 3.