BONNERS FERRY — The Badgers boys soccer split a pair of away games, winning one and losing the other, but overall showing improvement in pass plays.

The Badgers had a tough 2-1 loss in a conference game against the Coeur d’Alene Charter Panthers on Sept. 20 in a tough loss. The teams met on the artificial turf of the Real Life Ministries Fields in Post Falls.

Bonners Ferry scored early, with a goal by senior Wyatt Hart, assisted by freshman Nick Rawson.

Panthers responded with a goal shortly afterward, before scoring again in the match’s second half to put the Panthers on top for good.

Badgers head coach Paul Bonnell said the game featured a lot of close play, with shot opportunities made and missed, with Panthers scoring a second goal off a deflection in the goalie box.

The loss followed a shutout win by the Badgers against St. Maries on Sept. 18, where Bonners Ferry put the ball into the net five times against a scoreless St. Maries team.

The St. Maries match saw intermittent rain throughout the game, but Badgers capitalized on the weather to post three goals in the first half and another two in the final half, Bonnell said.

In the second half, Badger defenders Ridge Williams and Porter Schulte scored the two goals; Schulte’s 40-yard shot skipped past the goalie on the wet grass.

Bonnell said the spectators were on their feet in the incredulity of what they just saw.

“Pass play, combined with capitalizing on breakaways, enabled success in the St. Maries game,” Bonnell said.

Boys soccer will host Orofino on Friday, Sept. 24, and travel to Kalispell, Mont., to play Stillwater Christian on Saturday, Sept. 25.