CFSA tourney honors Plains pastor

More than 200 soccer players gathered at the Amundson Sports Complex Saturday for a day of competition for the Annual Randy Baker Memorial Soccer Tournament and when it was finished, Thompson Falls and Plains teams were the victors.

Four teams from Thompson Falls, Plains, and Trout Creek competed with each other in the U14 Division, playing two games apiece, said Alan Hafner, the tournament director. Adam Franklin's Thompson Falls team had one win and one loss. The Trout Creek kids, coached by Brian Krick, lost both games. Zac Jensen' team, the Thompson Falls Phoenix, won one and lost in the championship 13-0 against the Plains team, coached by Joel Myers, whose kids went undefeated the entire season. Hafner guessed there might have been some 500 spectators that came and went throughout the day.

Nine U11 Division teams from Noxon, Trout Creek, Thompson Falls, Plains, and Hot Springs faced off from 9 a.m. to the final game, which finished shortly after 3 p.m. Trent Harmon's Thompson Falls boys and girls carried the day for the U11 championship after defeating Carole Jensen's Thompson Falls team 4-2.

In Bracket A, Noxon, coached by Kelsey Mann and Eric Oldenburg, had one win and three losses. The Plains team, coached by Aaron Garland, had two wins and two losses. Carole Jensen's and Brock Perkins' team of Thompson Falls tied for first in the bracket, having three wins and one tie. Trout Creek, coached by Ruth Boyer, had four losses. In Bracket B, Hot Springs, coached by Jessie Stephens, had three losses. Plains, coached by Sarah Nestor, had two wins and one loss. Harmon's Thompson Falls team had two wins and one loss. Sunday Dutro's Thompson Falls team also had two wins and one loss. Bracket B ended in a three-way tie for first place, all having two wins and a loss. Hot Springs lost all three games because they didn't have enough players to field a team, said Hafner.

"It was a great tournament. It has grown over the years and has rewarding challenges," said Dave Wrobleski, president of the Clark Fork Soccer Alliance, which is composed of teams from throughout Sanders County, St. Regis and Superior. "There were a lot of kids that had a great time and that's why we do this," said Wrobleski, president for the last three years. "It's great to see the growth in the players throughout the season," he added.

He believes they've been putting on the Randy Baker Memorial Soccer Tournament for about 15 years. Baker had been the pastor of the Plains Alliance Church and was an avid supporter of the local soccer program. He passed away in 2009 at age 58.

Wrobleski was one of seven referees for the day. All were Plains residents and included: Nick Lawyer, Wrobleski's son, Andrew, and daughter, Katherine, Caleb Sapp, Gavin Hafner, and Carter Goins.

"It was a great day with lots of positive energy, a big crowd, and a bright sunny day," said Lawyer, who coaches the newly formed Thompson Falls High School Lady Hawks soccer team. "While we certainly have some things we can improve on, I think we can chalk this tournament up as a success," said Alan Hafner, who serves as a referee for the high school soccer program. "Our mission as a club is to grow youth and adult skills, character, and health through soccer in the communities we serve, and I think we accomplished that," he added.

The championship teams of the two age groups received a medal and had their photo taken with the 24-inch tall tournament trophy.