The Sandpoint Strikers tryouts for fall season have been rescheduled for June 11 and 12, due to wet weather. Boys and girls who will be at least 7 years-old and not older than 13 as of Aug. 1, 2012, are eligible to try out.

The U8 – U11 tryouts will be held Monday, June 11, from 5-7 p.m. at Centennial Park. The U12 – U14 players will try out on Tuesday, June 12, from 5-7 p.m. at Centennial Park. Players should bring cleats, shin guards, a soccer ball, water and appropriate apparel to their tryout session. 

For more information about Sandpoint Strikers FC, call 263-9116, email “soccer@sandpointsoccer.com” or visit the new website at “www.sandpointsoccer.com.”

• Striker U8 boys

The Sandpoint Strikers U8 boys team wrapped up its season recently in Spokane Valley by earning two hard fought wins. Coach Kyler said he was proud of the boys, noting they played their best soccer of the season. There were many “firsts,” including Shane Griffin scoring his first goal as a member of the Strikers Academy team. Head Coach Brice Filippini congratulated the boys for their hard work and skill development through the season.

• Striker U12 boys

The U12 Striker boys chose to cap their 2012 season with a challenge; a challenge that looked like bringing home the gold from a bracket with boys at least a year older than themselves.  Playing in the Three Blind Refs tournament last weekend the Striker boys would first defeat a Polson, Montana U13/14 team 3-1. Goals would be posted by Luke Koch, Zion Reichold and Kris Hertel. Julian Brajas (stopper), Christian Dressel (outside defender) and Tanner Kohal (sweeper) would showcase their ability to tackle, carry the ball upfield  and find feet. Goalkeeper Ryan Barley would have two saves for the evening.

In their afternoon game on Saturday the U12s would upend  the Kootenay Rovers 5-1 with goals by Ryan McNelley (right mid), Landin Fillipini (center mid and forward), Noah Hastings (forward) and Luke Koch (midfielder). Left mid John (Griffin) O’Hara would have an assist and right mid Bradley Lunde would have several looks at the goal, one which missed the left upper “v” by mere inches. Newcomer (forward) Finnan Lund-Andersen would also see scoring opportunities.  

 The semis (Sunday morning) would see the Striker boys knocking off the Nelson Selects 4-1. Left outside defender Logan Buckout would have his best game of the season; tackling, using the touchline and playing perfect balls to left mid (Mr. Chop) Parker Mayo, who would then have at least one assist. Also on the left, Lars Rasmussen (mid/defender) would have a beautiful header and would have his best game of the season.

The finals would see the U12s (vs. Helena Arsenal) jumping to an early two goal lead in the first half, but eventually allowing Helena a tie before the final whistle. Ten minutes of overtime would again see the game equal; resulting in a shootout. Sandpoint goalkeeper Hyrum Hunsaker would post the only save (of the ten shots taken) resulting in an extremely intense Striker victory. The Striker U12 boys hold their Fall tryouts on Tuesday, June 12.

• Strikers U10 boys

The Strikers U 10 Boys squads wrapped up their spring season at the Three Blind Refs Tournament in Kalispell, Montana. Both squads played four games in two days and demonstrated time and time again that they are indeed very talented soccer players and a great group of boys. The Herrera squad: Braedon Dressel, Nicolas Herrera, Jackson Hitchcock, Nick Jenner, Sims Macdonald, Christian Niemela, Luke Owens, Dylan Peterson, Carson Pottle, Jackson Prior, and Chase Ramsay played hard, quality soccer and played with heart. The Herrera squad’s first game on Saturday was exceptional — a thing of beauty. The Giese squad’s last game on Sunday was phenomenal.

All players played 100 percent with incredible intensity and focus, such soccer maturity; it was indeed the beautiful game at its best. The Giese squad won 2nd place medals. Coach Rob Herrera summarized the all soccer weekend stating “Cheers all, you boys rocked it and you owned it.”

• U10 Rec League

The Flaming Dragons had their last game of the spring soccer season this last Saturday and did amazing. The final score was 7-1. Jet, Aiden and Jake all made the final goals of the season. The other players on the team also did an awesome job. Noah, Sabrina, Trevor, Kaylee, Molly, Makylee and Alyssa. I have very much enjoyed coaching this team and will miss them. Good Job Flaming Dragons. — Coach Veronica.

• U10 Striker girls

Last weekend, the Strikers U10 Girls took second place in the 3-Blind-Refs Tournament in Kalispell.

In the first game against Coeur d’Alene Sting Timbers, the Timbers started strong, scoring two goals in the first 15 minutes. However, Ginger Olson broke the Sting offensive trend by scored a long, left-footed goal. The Sting scored a third goal, but Strikers bounced back with a PK by Sage Saccamanno, who followed this goal with a 20 yard shocker to tie the score going into the half. 

In the second half, the Sting again scored two early goals, and led 5-3, but true to form, the Strikers bounced back with a perfectly-placed shot from the edge of the box by Isabel Edwards. Sting scored their sixth and final goal and led 6-4 until Kaylie Higbee beat two defenders and scored. The Strikers, one goal down and with 10 minutes to play, kept the ball in their opponents defensive third with help from defender Annaka McClelland, and attempted shot after shot, but were not able to put any of them in the net. The Strikers lost 6-5.

The Strikers then easily defeated Flathead FC and Poulson FC. In their fourth and final game, Sandpoint faced Couer d’Alene Sting Sounders. In an unfortunate trend, the Strikers again allowed the first goal, but it wasn’t long before Ginger evened the score with her patented shot from the left side. Keeper Breana Koivu made some critical saves. The score was 1-1 at the half.  

Strikers defenders, Hattie Larson, Madalyn Matilla and Keona Brown played brilliantly and allowed no easy shots on goal, while midfielders Shelby Mohler, Hanna Eddy and Aaliyah Campbell kept the ball in the Sting defensive end of the field.  With five minutes left in the game, Hanna’s throw-in dropped in front of Alliyah who crossed it in front of the goal. Ginger narrowly missed the ball, butIsabel, with a perfectly timed run, drove the ball into the upper far corner away from the goalie’s grasp for the 2-1 win.

The Strikers U10 Girls had a very successful season, taking second in the Inland Northwest Tournament, the Northwest League, as well as the 3-Blind-Refs Tournament. Next season they plan to make it 1st, 1st, and 1st. 

A Kick in the Grass is a coach-submitted column that runs every Thursday in the Daily Bee.