PREP BOYS SOCCER: Lakeland, Bonners Ferry, Moscow fall in state play-in matches

By JASON ELLIOTT

Sports writer

5A

RATHDRUM — Lakeland was able to get all it wanted out of its boys soccer season this year. 

A win at regionals. Done. 

Playing at home, with a chance to advance to state. 

Got that one too. 

But that next step will have to wait. 

Columbia of Nampa, ranked eighth in 5A by MaxPreps, which is used to seed the state tournament, jumped out to a 6-0 halftime lead and went on to beat the seventh-ranked Hawks 7-0 in a state 5A play-in match at Sunrise Rotary Field on Saturday. 

Lakeland, bidding for its first trip to state since 2015, finished 7-8.

“This year, we only had one varsity returner (Luke Fritts) from last year and most played on the JV last year,” Lakeland coach Nick Haynes said. “We had two kids that play club soccer year-round, but have a lot of multi-sport athletes. They showed a lot of heart for what we’ve got in little ol’ Rathdrum. To get to a play-in game was a good achievement for these boys.” 

Columbia (14-6-2) advances to state next week at the Field of Dreams in Ponderay starting Thursday. 

“They’re very highly skilled,” Haynes said of Columbia. “They’re fast, quick and they certainly are a very good team. They outplayed us today and definitely deserve to go to state.” 

Lakeland beat Moscow 3-2 in a 5A Region 1 tournament at the Moscow School District Community Playfields on Oct. 10, then fell to Sandpoint in the regional championship match. The Hawks earned a play-in opportunity after finishing as one of the top four non-qualifiers after district play. 

“It was kind of hit and miss this year,” Haynes said. “These kids had a lot of growth this year and we’d have some good strides. But then we’d have some setbacks and a lot of learning along the way, especially with a young group.” 

Lakeland's top goal scorer left the program after the final regular season game on Oct. 3, Haynes said. 

Freshman Deyker Alvarez had two goals for Columbia, which advances to state for the first time in program history. 

“They’re a family,” Columbia coach David Duran-Arrredondo said. “This is a team that out of all my four years at Columbia, they’re a family. We’ve gone through some adversity and some highs and lows. They just came together and knew what it means and what it means for Columbia soccer history. They just worked hard and they wanted it.” 

Lakeland has eight seniors off this year’s team. 

“Most of these kids are returning next year,” Haynes said. “Hopefully, we can keep building on that and moving forward. We had a lot of ups and downs and came a long way. I’m proud of the boys and hopefully we’ll be ready for next season.” 

First half — 1, Col, Deyker Aguillar (unassisted) 6:49. 2, Col, Aguillar (unassisted), 12:20. 3, Col, Johnny Guardado (free kick), 25:54. 4, Col, own goal, 27:14. 5, Col, Hugo Vazquez (unassisted), 31:08. 6, Col, Herri Wilondja (unassisted), 39:30. Second half — 7, Col, Fransisco Segurra (unassisted), 66:17. 

Shots on goal — Col 12, LL 3. 

Saves — Col, Jose Gomez 1, Roman Ryhuk 2; LL, Eli Cantu 5, Luke Fess 5. 

Jerome 7 

Moscow 0 

JEROME — The Tigers, ranked fourth in 5A by MaxPreps, beat the ninth-ranked Bears in a state 5A play-in match at Jerome High. 

Jerome (13-2-2) advances to state at the Field of Dreams in Ponderay starting Thursday. 

Moscow finished 8-10-0. 

Sugar-Salem 2 

Bonners Ferry 0  

SUGAR CITY — The 10th-ranked Badgers saw their season come to an end with a loss to the second-ranked Diggers in a state 4A play-in match at Sugar-Salem High. 

Bonners Ferry finished 11-5-1. 

Sugar-Salem (14-2-2) advances to state at Burley High starting Thursday.