Injury struck Maniac's Lose to Badgers

by Kendall Bowser

While the season for the Lady Maniac Soccer team started out with 18 team members signed up they only have 14 players on their currant roster and with 5 of those players injured.

Some of the injuries are not serious but with no or injured substitutes the team cannot play up to its full potential. The Lady Maniac’s are making adjustments to these injuries but still have not found the right mix with players moving into new positions each game.

The Bonners Ferry Badgers came into town ready to play. The game ended up with a 10 a.m. start to accommodate the visiting Badgers schedule. Orofino started out controlling the ball well and getting several shots on goal. The shot count at the end of the first half was close with Orofino haven taken eight shots on goal and Bonners Ferry took nine shots on goal. The injured Maniac keeper Katelyn Holzer made two saves in the first half. The Badgers Keeper Autumn Stoermer also had just two saves in the first half, but her defensive team helped her out by blocking four shots to keep the first half score to three to zero in favor of the Badgers. The first goal did not come until half way through the half at the 20th minute mark. It was scored by the Badgers Jennifer Putnam who shot as the ball was being cleared by the Maniac defense. The shot deflected off of a Maniac defensive player but not enough to stop the goal. The second score of the game came on a breakaway by Badgers Striker Brnadi Wagner in the 25th minute of play. The third goal came in the 36th minute of play on another breakaway this time from Badgers Jennifer Putnam and then it was half time with the score being 3 – 0 Bonners Ferry. Maniacs Central Defender Natasha Pence was injured in the first couple of minutes of play and did not return to the game.

With the injuries the Maniacs had, this forced some changes to start the second half of play. Ashley Woolsey stepped into an unfamiliar defensive position to help the team. Andrea Bowser who has had an ankle injury most of the season played to give some relief to players. Holzer’s injury pulled her out of the goal and team mate Aliesha Struhs played the whole second half on a strained knee. Still adjusting to their new positions they took the field determined to regain the lost goals and even up the score.

The fourth goal showed how much team work is used in this game. The goal came in the 62nd minute of play started off a Badgers throw in to Sara Kerby who headed the ball to team mate Brandi Wagner who crossed the ball to Jennifer Putnam for the goal on new Keeper Felicia Vanwinsen. This seemed enough to take all the drive out of the Lady Maniac’s. For the first time in years it seemed like they ran out of gas and gave up. The Badgers received two more goals in the game. The next one came in the 67th minute of play by Badgers Kerby followed by another goal in the 76th minute of play by team mate Abby Spaulding.

The Maniac defense consisting of Sara Holand, Tracci Dial, Celene Kunkel, and Jessica Robbeloth still played hard to the end. Second half goal keeper Vanwinsen gained eight saves for the Maniacs as the defense had three blocks to keep the final score 6 – 0 Bonners Ferry. Orofino had only one shot on goal in the second half of play.

A special thanks to Jeff Jones and KLER Radio for coming and announcing the game as it was senior (Captain) Tracci Dial, Sara Holand, and Katelyn Holzers last game at home. These players have improved over the four years they have played at Orofino and will be missed next year. Thank you, ladies for all of your dedication, leadership, and efforts through the years with Orofino Soccer. Best wishes in your future endeavors.