COEUR d’ALENE — Two pretty new varsity soccer players were sparkplugs for Lake City on Thursday, in a 4-0 victory over Highland of Pocatello in a state 5A girls soccer tournament first-round game at the Irma Anderl Soccer Complex at Lake City.

Madyson Smith, a freshman who has been up and down from the varsity to the junior varsity teams the past few weeks, started the scoring party. As a speedy 5-foot forward, Smith scored from 8 yards out in the 14th minute, on a through ball by Lily Scott, who finished with two assists.

“At the beginning of the year, I played JV,” Smith said. “Then toward the middle of the season, I played both varsity and JV. I had a great pass from Lily and I was lucky to poke it in. I’m blessed to have been called up by (Lake City coach Matt) Ruchti, to grow with them (my teammates).”

Smith’s goal lifted the Timberwolves (12-3-2), who play at 11:30 a.m. today at Lake City against Centennial, in a rematch of last year’s state title game, won by Centennial in penalty kicks. The Patriots (12-0-3) beat Mountain View 2-1 in the first overtime, on a golden goal by senior Brenna Davidson on a tap-in on a rebound from 2 yards away.

After an insurance goal scored by Lake City senior forward Havana Johnson on a quick strike with goalkeeper Aubrey Hymas running out toward her in the 53rd minute, Hannah Clark went to work.

Clark, a sophomore midfielder who was a call-up from five weeks ago, scored two goals. The first came on a steal by her and from 12 yards out, Clark drilled a hard and high shot to the right side of the net, for a commanding 3-0 lead. In the 64th minute, she split two defenders and got past a third with her speed and hit a shot from 10 yards out.

“It was really cool to experience this,” Clark said of playing in state. “I’m happy and thankful for the opportunity. I’ve been training with the varsity team, I played junior varsity half the season. It’s nice to have Matt call me up.”

A key moment happened in the 14th minute, just before Smith’s goal. Highland starting goalkeeper Tamra Diehl charged toward Johnson, diving for the ball. Johnson appeared to attempt a kick for a 50-50 ball, but instead she accidentally kicked the freshman in the head. After several minutes down on the ground with the Rams’ coaches looking after her, Diehl came out of the game.

That left Hymas to play in her first varsity game of the season, and despite making seven saves, she allowed all four goals. Lake City outshot Highland (11-6-1), 14-5, with Emily Parsons making all five saves as LC’s goalkeeper.

“I felt like losing my goalkeeper was a game changer,” Highland coach Korbie Vaughan said. “Our freshman goalie hasn’t played all year. She (Diehl) has a goose egg on her head, there’s a cleat mark. I felt like we had good scoring opportunities, once they scored their second and third goals, we let down a bit.”

First half — 1, LC, Madyson Smith (Lily Scott), 14:00. Second half — 2, LC, Havana Johnson (Caitlin Barber), 53:00. 3, LC, Hannah Clark (Bridget Rieken), 59:00. 4, LC, Clark (Scott), 64:00.

Shots on goal — High 5, LC 14.

Saves — High, Aubrey Hymas 7. LC, Emily Parsons 5.