PREP SOCCER: Sheppard kicks Charter to district title over Timberlake

• GIRLS

POST FALLS — Coeur d’Alene Charter junior Sierra Sheppard scored a golden goal two minutes into overtime as the top-seeded Panthers beat the second-seeded Timberlake Tigers 1-0 in the 4A District 1-2 championship match at The Fields at Real Life on Saturday. 

It is the 10th straight district title for Coeur d’Alene Charter (12-1-1), which is ranked 12th in the latest MaxPreps.com rankings, which as used to seed the state tournament. Timberlake (9-9), which advanced with a win on Friday against Bonners Ferry, is 19th. 

Both schools will learn their opponents for state, starting Thursday at Meridian High, today. 

“We dug in deep, connected early and had a majority of the possession early in both halves,” Coeur d’Alene Charter coach Stacy Smith said. “But we just couldn’t find the back of the net during regular play. It took 92 minutes, but in the long run, it was the grit and sheer determination of my starting group that allowed us to be the ultimate victor in the game tonight.” 

Timberlake junior Ali Grantham had 15 saves. 

“Hats off to Timberlake for giving their best,” Smith said. “We’re excited that both of us have been able to secure the berths to state this year.” 

First half — none. Second half — none. Overtime — 1, Charter, Sierra Sheppard (unassisted), 92:00. 

Shots on goal — TL 6, Charter 21. 

Saves — TL, Ali Grantham 15; Charter, Adysen Robinson 4. 

Eagle 1 

Lake City 0 

LEWISTON — The Timberwolves, the top-ranked team by MaxPreps in the 6A classification, fell short to the Mustangs after allowing a goal in the 20th minute of a state play-in match at the P1FCU Sports Complex at Lewiston High. 

Lake City, the District 1 champion, had to play its way into state this year after the league lost its automatic bid to state due to classification changes. 

The Timberwolves finished 13-1-1.

“We weren’t at our best today, and that’s on me,” Lake City coach Matt Ruchti said. “I have to do a better job at preparing the team for this moment. At the end of the day, this program lost one game all season.” 

Eagle (9-6-3), ranked ninth in the latest MaxPreps.com rankings, which are used to seed the state tournament, advances to state starting Thursday at Rocky Mountain High in Meridian. The Mustangs were the sixth-place finisher in District 3. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of this group,” said Ruchti of Lake City. “They are outstanding humans. I will miss every moment not coaching them. This one game doesn’t define who we are. It’s unfortunate the state chose to have this format, but we still need to perform.” 

Moscow 3 

Wood River 0 

MCCALL — The Bears, the Region 1 runner-up, defeated the Wolverines of Hailey in a state 5A play-in match at McCall-Donnelly High, advancing to state starting on Thursday at Middleton High. 

Moscow (10-3-3), was ranked fifth in the latest MaxPreps.com rankings, which are used to determine seeding for state, which will be announced today. 

Wood River, seeded eighth, finished 13-7. 

• BOYS

Cd’A Charter 2 

Bonners Ferry 0 

POST FALLS — Coeur d’Alene Charter senior goalkeeper Mattis Macmillan stopped all five shots on goal for the top-seeded Panthers in a win over the second-seeded Badgers in the 4A District 1 championship match at The Fields at Real Life. 

“Not our finest game, but just enough,” said Coeur d’Alene Charter coach Craig Daigle, who coached the Panthers to a runner-up finish at state last year. “Bonners played a fantastic 80 minutes tonight. I’m really proud of the way this team played all season. Scoring 81 goals and giving up zero in our district all year is quite a feat. We’ll celebrate this back-to-back district championship tonight and tomorrow, but we need to get focused and ready for state.” 

Coeur d’Alene Charter (15-1-0) — which claimed its third district title in program history — is ranked second in the latest MaxPreps.com rankings, which are used to seed the state tournament. Bonners Ferry (10-6-0), which also advanced to state with a win in the semifinals on Friday, is eighth.  

Teams will learn their opening round opponents when brackets are announced today. 

First half — 1, Charter, Anthony Haler (Brooks Judd), 11:20. Second half — 2, Charter, Creighton Lehosit (unassisted), 70:00. 

Shots on goal — BF 7, Charter 12. 

Saves — BF, Cardon Pluid 7; Charter, Mattis Macmillan 5. 

Boise 2 

Coeur d’Alene 1 

LEWISTON — The Vikings, who battled back from an early hole to win the best-of-3 6A District 1 championship series, just ran out of time. 

Junior Mason Taylor scored with 30 seconds remaining for the Vikings, who fell short to the Brave in a state play-in match at the P1FCU Sports Complex at Lewiston High, ending the Vikings’ season at 10-5-1. 

“It was a really even match, but a disappointing result,” second-year Coeur d’Alene coach Robbie Harmelink said. “We could have played and coached better. It’s disappointing that it ends our season, but I’m proud of the fight that boys put in all year.” 

This year, the District 1 champion had to play its way into state against the sixth-place finisher from the District 3 (Boise area) tournament. 

Boise (12-8-1) was ranked 10th in the latest MaxPreps.com rankings, which are used to seed the state tournament. Coeur d’Alene was sixth. 

The state 6A boys tournament starts Thursday at Eagle High.

First half — 1, Boise, own goal, 8:00. Second half — 2, Boise, Meyer Smith (Hudson Faull), 57:00. 3, Cd’A, Mason Taylor (unassisted), 79:00. 

Shots on goal — Boise 6, Cd’A 3. 

Saves — Boise, Aiden Kemp 2; Cd’A, Grant Johnson 4. 

Nampa 4

Lewiston 0

LEWISTON — The Bengals, the Region 1 runner-up, fell to the Bulldogs (10-8-1) in a state 5A play-in match at the P1FCU Sports Complex at Lewiston High.

Lewiston finishes 5-9.

Nampa opens play at state on Thursday at Columbia High in Nampa.