Badgers beat Libby, but Viking rematch arrives

Bonners Ferry’s soccer teams were able to leave Libby with two wins Monday afternoon, as the Badgers beat the boys 2-1 and the girls 6-0.

Junior midfielder Jason Schnackenberg scored the lone goal for the boys, converting a penalty kick set up when freshman midfielder Johnny Davidson was fouled in the box.

The boys’ record moved to 2-4-1 with the Bonners Ferry loss, and they looked forward to playing Bigfork on Thursday afternoon. The Vikings had downed the Loggers 2-1 earlier this season, and the stakes remain high for the rematch.

“I think Whitefish is the cream of the crop of the conference and the state,” said head coach Charlie Webster. “Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Libby and Polson are all battling for second and third. Bigfork is in the drivers seat.”

The boys travel to Polson, noon Saturday.

In the girls game:

A talented forward who was able to move at will picked the girls apart. Liz Racer, the Lady Badger’s main threat, scored five goals and assisted on the other to send the Lady Loggers to 1-5-1.

“We could compete with Bonners, but (Racer) just ran through us,” said head coach Joe Cik. “But I’m really happy with how my girls played.”

Freshman keeper Danni Hawthorne recorded 11 saves in goal. Usual starting goalie, senior Rebecca Kyriss, has been out for unspecified “team issues,” but was likely coming back soon.

The Lady Loggers played Bigfork, their lone win of the season, Thursday afternoon. Cik was cautiously optimistic about his team’s chances both against the Lady Vikings and against Polson on Saturday.

“These next two games are big ones,” Cik said. “If we win, we’re looking at playoff scenarios. I’m nervous but extremely confident the girls can get it done. We’re looking good.”

The Polson game is 2 p.m. Saturday.