Adults defeat kids in soccer showdown

It was aged over adolescence, wisdom over youth, and energetic over enterprising. It was the Clark Fork Alliance Soccer youth versus their parents, or what one of the parents called the "Champions versus the Kids."

Nick Lawyer, the primary organizer of the competition at the Amundson Sports Complex in Plains, said they've been doing a game between the kids and parents and had never won, until last Monday. "This year's going to be different; the adults are going to at least score," Lawyer said just before the game. "They should tie their shoelaces together; I think it's our only chance to win," said Eric Dimond of Plains, whose daughter, Hailey, 11, played for the kids, who called themselves the "Green Beans."

A lot more children than adults showed for the game, which led the adults to let four of the kids play on their team. It was remarked by more than one of the Green Bean players that the Champions won because of the kids on the team. But when the two 15-minute halves were over, the Champions were 5-3 champions with Andrew Wrobleski, one of four youths on the adult team, kicking one past Green Bean keeper Maddie Toyias, a Thompson Falls member who is also on the U17 Clark Fork Soccer Alliance team, coached by Lawyer.

The Champions began right away by scoring early in the game with a goal by Plains resident Joel Myers, who coached the Clark Fork Alliance Soccer U12 team this year. A father and son pass from Dave Wrobleski to Andrew put number two on the board. It was father Wrobleski who got the third score to end the first half 3-0.

In the second half, the kids started finding their marks as the adults started tiring. Katherine Wrobleski sent one in to put the Green Beans on the board, followed by Savannah Costner for a 3-2 game. Andy Hardenbrook of Thompson Falls came right back to score for the adults - 4-2.

Wrobleski had a few saves as keeper, but he seemed to have met his match in the second half when Costner passed the ball to Katherine Wrobleski, who blasted one past her father. He got a piece of the ball, but not enough to stop it from being 4-3.

"Katherine thought it was an easy goal and I was able to at least get a touch on it. It was a great decision by Savannah to make the pass and Katherine did her part with the shot and finish," said Dave Wrobleski, who has served as president of the Clark Fork Alliance Soccer club for the last two years. "It was fun all around," added Wrobleski.

It didn't take long for Andrew Wrobleski to slip one into the corner to finish the game 5-3 with the adults claiming their first victory. "I wouldn't say it was frustrating, but it was shocking," said Mikiah Cook, at 17, the oldest player on the Green Beans. Cook said she's very competitive and doesn't like losing to anyone. She also plays on the U17 team, as does her sister, Melodie Cook.

"They needed to be put in their place," said Katrina Nygaard of Thompson Falls and the U17 assistant coach. "It was exhausting, but fun to play. I'm here for the infinite soccer game; I play so I can keep playing," said Lawyer, a soccer coach for over 10 years.

The group also had a barbecue and awards ceremony after the game. "Everyone was recognized for their contributions throughout the season," said Lawyer. Individually, Arianna Manuel was named Rookie of the Year. Maddie Carter had Goal of the Season. Savannah Costner got the Golden Boot Award with 11 goals on the season. Ava Lawyer was Teammate of the Year. Solveig Nygaard was Player of the Year.