WHS boys’ soccer wraps up the 2024 season

Weiser High School’s varsity boys soccer team took a trip to State 4A finals last week, ending the season on a high note in spite of taking losses on the first and second days of competition.

 A senior team co-captain Matt Perez put it best after the team’s return home, and what he has to say speaks well to the strong and resilient character of this Wolverine team.

 “My experience at state was great,” Perez told the Signal American. “The boys and I had a great time despite the results. We’re glad to have broken the three-year streak of not having gone to State. This just goes to show what Weiser boys soccer is capable of. 

 “Although it’s my last year playing for Weiser, this is not Weiser’s last year to keep surprising and accomplishing something,” Perez said.

 Traveling to the far reaches of north Idaho at Post Falls, the 4A eighth seed Wolverines faced the first seed Wendell Trojans on Thursday, Oct. 24, and were successful in scoring three goals against the hard-playing District 4 team. Nonetheless, Wendell took the win with five goals scored.

 The loss put Weiser into the consolation bracket and a Friday morning game against the Sun Valley Cutthroats. The Cutthroats had lost 4-1 the day before to SRV’s McCall-Donnelly, and pulled off a 4-1 win over Weiser on Friday.

 McCall-Donnelly’s second game of the contest was against Wendell, with the Trojans taking a 1-0 win, and Wendell going on to take the state title in a 1-0 win over Coeur d’Alene Charter. The Vandals run ended with a 2-1 loss to Teton, and Sun Valley Charter finished the consolation bracket with a 2-1 win over Bonners Ferry.

 Summarizing the tournament, Wolverine Coach Kathy Bokides said the weekend was a great experience for her team.

 “They played the number one seed who ended up winning the tournament,” Bokides said. “And we actually were the only team that scored on them. We scored four goals, but one was called back for offsides. So, with three minutes left, the score was 4-3. So, we had them on the run and it was pretty exciting. They did get one more goal, but we were very competitive.

 “The next day we played Sun Valley, and we scored the first goal,” she added. “The boys played well, and never quit. They were out there fighting and fighting. It was pretty cool. David (Hernandez) did an incredible job, and made some incredible saves. They all just put forth their best efforts and had so much fun.”

 Bokides commented on how close District 3’s teams were throughout the season.

 “Anybody could have gone to state, and I think that’s great for all soccer programs because we all continue to get better when we’re all striving and competing, instead of having one team (dominating),” she said.