CALDWELL — The Badgers boys soccer team will play Sugar-Salem in the first round of the 3A state tournament today after falling just short in the district title game last weekend.

Bonners Ferry entered the 3A District 1-2 tournament last week as the No. 3 seed. They rolled to a 4-1 victory over sixth-seeded Orofino to set up a district semifinal showdown with No. 2 seed Timberlake last Friday.

In a pair of regular season matches, the Badgers and Tigers tied 1-1 both times, so head coach Paul Bonnell was expecting another battle, and that’s exactly what Bonners Ferry got.

“We went in with a sense of focus,” Bonnell said. “We practiced plays all week crafting shots, scoring and through balls.”

The preparation paid off as the Badgers emerged with a 2-0 victory to clinch a berth to state and a spot in the district title game. It wasn’t perfect, but Bonnell said he was really pleased with how the boys played.

Players told Bonnell after the game that they poured everything into the game and he could tell they did.

Bonners Ferry drew top-seeded Coeur d’Alene Charter in the district championship match the next day and the two teams put on quite the show for the fans at The Fields at Real Life in Post Falls.

The thrilling game couldn’t be decided in regulation or overtime, so the two league foes went to a penalty shootout. The Panthers won the shootout 3-1 to down the Badgers and secure their first district title in program history.

“Oh my gosh, what else do you want for a district championship,” Bonnell said after the match. “It would have been nice to have the win, but somebody’s going to win, and somebody’s not. I was so proud of how awesome we played, they played. It was a great match. Heading into state, this is exactly what we want. This kind of intensity and teamwork and a sense of commitment all the way through.”

The Panthers struck first in the match, finding the back of the net in the fourth minute. But Bonners Ferry locked down the Coeur d’Alene Charter attack for the rest of regulation and Ke’Ahi Robles knotted the game up at 1-1 in the 21st minute.

“We shut off their runs once they scored. It was 1-1 and we knew it was anyone’s game,” Bonnell said.

The Badgers were unable to find that finishing touch in the two overtimes and they fell short in penalty kicks, but Bonnell was proud of the fight his team showed. He applauded his players for their positive attitude and ability to stay in the moment and not get rattled.

It was a fast paced game, Bonnell said, and the Panthers were a great opposition.

“The Badgers are still going to state,” Bonnell said. “That game was by no means a loss.”

This is the Badgers’ first trip to state since 2019. Last year, Bonners Ferry had a 15-year state streak snapped when they fell in the district semis to Timberlake as the top seed.

The Badgers’ lone state title came in 2007 and they will begin their journey toward another when they face Sugar-Salem at 12:30 p.m. PST Thursday at Vallivue High School in Caldwell. The Badgers are guaranteed two games at state and will play again on Friday.