STATE 4A BOYS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP: Lakeland boys denied in first title trip
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 10 years, 6 months AGO
MIDDLETON — Someone was going to win its first state 4A boys soccer title in school history on Saturday night at Middleton High.
Unfortunately for the Lakeland Hawks, it was the Century Diamondbacks’ night.
Century scored two minutes into the match, then stretched the lead to 3-0 midway through the second half before a late goal Daniel McDevitt proved to be the final margin in a 3-1 win over the Hawks in the first championship game appearance for both schools.
“Them getting that goal in the first minute was a shock to our system,” fourth-year Lakeland coach Andrew Craig said. “We were still playing well throught the first half. In the second, we came out and played well and the chances started to come. Century just came to play tonight and figured it out. It didn’t matter what we did, they were ready for it. It felt like they had a couple of lucky chances, but they’re a solid team and our boys played well.”
Lakeland, which finished 14-3-2, had won 12 straight matches dating back to a 2-2 draw with Sandpoint on Sept. 8 in Rathdrum. The Hawks’ last lost was against Coeur d’Alene on Sept. 2 in Coeur d’Alene.
“For a first time in a championship game, I’m proud of the season we had,” said Craig, who was coached Lakeland in two of three state appearances in school history. “It’s just an unfortunate loss.”
McDevitt’s goal cut the deficit to 3-1 late in the second.
“I just came up on a corner kick and went for a run through the back,” McDevitt said. “It bounced right through and I volleyed it in.”
Lakeland finished third in 2013 and won the consolation championship in 2011.
McDevitt has played on two of those teams for Lakeland.
“It’s bittersweet right now,” McDevitt said. “To get second, it’s an honor and good feeling to have that in our school history. But at the same time, we wish we could have came home with that state title. Credit to this team and group of seniors, there’s been some tough times and everyone just stuck with it. We’ve been playing together since club ball and U-10. We stuck together through thick and thin. We wish we could have gotten this win, but credit to these guys for battling all weekend. This team has been great all year long. We had our ups and downs like any other team, but had a really good, successful season and it’s been a great year for us.”
Goals scored — Cent: Hunter Mansfield 1, Oakley Linschied 1, Jurnee Lurcero 1. LL: Daniel McDevitt 1.
Assists — Cent: Ethan Garrison 1. LL: none.
Saves — Cent: Jorge Santos 6; LL, Max Baker 5.