Sandpoint dominates IEL all-league soccer teams
Not surprisingly, the All-Inland Empire League boys soccer team was littered Sandpoint players, fresh off a 4A state title, including MVP Daniel Anderson, Offensive Player of the Year Adam Crossingham, Defensive Player of the Year Tanner French and Coach of the Year Randy Thoreson.
Forward Tanner Williams, midfielder Spencer Swerin, defender Anders Nostdahl and goalie Shawnn Carlson were also named to to the first team, and midfielder Ben Murray and defender Forrest Andrews were each named to the second team. Head coach Randy Thoreson, who has won the award a few times before, said it never gets old.
“It's always nice to get that vote of confidence from your fellow coaches," he said.
Bailey Hewitt was named MVP of the All-IEL girls team, Alicia Mertz was named Defensive Player of the Year, Kendall Stratton was named Newcomer of the Year and Adam Tajan coach of the year for the girls team, which finished 3rd at the 5A state tournament.
Midfielder Brittany Oakley and defender Liz Stone were each named to the first team, and center mid Brittany Clawson and defender Sandy Whalen were both named to the second team. Tajan, who has also won the award before, said it's nice to get that respect from the other coaches.
“I'm proud of that," he said with a caveat. “But it's all the girls though."
Each coach talked about what each player did to earn their spot on the team.
n Anderson (17 G, 6 A): “Obviously a player that has all kinds of abilities and presents a lot of problems for anyone we play. Even when he's not scoring, teams still have to watch him."
n Crossingham (14 G, 5 A): “He's got Brian Farber speed, nobody in the league can stay with him. He's got the most potential of anyone I've ever coached; can go anywhere he wants."
n French (7 G, 6 A): “Best pure athlete on the field. Anticipates well, he'll play at the next level for sure."
n Williams (12 G, 16 A): “Going to be a special player. As a sophomore, he had an uncanny ability to find the ball wherever it's at."
n Swerin (10 G, 9 A): “MVP of the Bulldog team without a doubt. Works so hard with the ball and behind the ball. Practices just like he plays; an unbelievable role model."
n Nostdahl (0 G, 2A): “Pound for pound one of the best players on the field. So aware, a great tactical player, always a step ahead of the play. A gamer, has a linebacker mentality."
n Carlson (10 shutouts): “Improved dramatically this year. One of the main reasons we're as good as we are. Had some unbelievable saves in big games."
n Murray (5 G, 12 A): “Our best utility player. Can put him anywhere on the field and that makes him invaluable. He sees the field well."
n Andrews: “Speed and tenacity, loves to come forward. In one on one situations he's almost impossible to beat."
n Hewitt (17 G, 3 A): “Dominant throughout the league. Full package of speed and strength and has the ability to take over a game at any time."
n Stratton (6 G, 2 A): “Played majority of season on defense, and when we moved her forward she became our second leading scorer. A work rate like you wouldn't believe. You'd never know she was a freshman."
n Mertz (3 G, 3A): “Not only organized and loud and a great ball winner, she can score goals. She scored some clutch goals for us; a well-rounded player."
n Oakley (4 G, 6 A): “The rock. She's been first team IEL since freshman year. Physical, athletic, tackles hard and is great in the air."
n Stone: “Tenacious defensively. Our best 1 v 1 defender; very difficult to beat."
n Clawson (4 G, 9 A): “Led team in assists. Good job of controlling the tempo of the game."
n Whalen (2 G, 1 A): “She's tenacious in the back, yet calm and composed. Plays bigger than she is. I've seen her shut down some of the top players in the GSL."
ALL-INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE
BOYS SOCCER
MVP - Daniel Anderson, jr., Sandpoint
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Adam Crossingham, jr., Sandpoint
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Tanner French, sr., Sandpoint
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - Scott Benner, fr., Post Falls
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR - Stephen Gressard, sr., Moscow
COACH OF THE YEAR - Randy Thoreson, Sandpoint
FIRST TEAM - Tanner Williams, sr., Sandpoint; Robby Astin, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Griffen Hoerner, sr., Post Falls; Spencer Swerin, sr., Sandpoint; Jimmy Williamson, sr., Lake City; Tyler Powers, sr., Lake City; Anders Nostahl, jr., Sandpoint; David Sanchez, jr., Moscow; Forrest Walker, jr., Coeur d'Alene; Shawnn Carlson, sr., Sandpoint; Josh Gordon, sr., Lake City.
SECOND TEAM - Jordon Eborall, jr., Coeur d'Alene; Grant Stimmel, so., Coeur d'Alene; Austin Thomas, fr., Lewiston; Ben Murray, sr., Sandpoint; Mac Stannard, jr., Moscow; Gram Lundgren, sr., Moscow; Nick Lenihan, sr., Lake City; Austin Green, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Josh Martin, sr., Post Falls; Forrest Andrews, sr., Sandpoint; Matt Lieggi, jr., Lake City.
ALL-INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE
GIRLS SOCCER
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER - Bailey Hewitt, sr., Sandpoint
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR - Kendall Stratton, Sandpoint
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Sadie Simon, sr., Coeur d'Alene
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Alicia Mertz, jr., Sandpoint
GOALIE OF THE YEAR - Shannon Fraser, sr., Lake City
COACH OF THE YEAR - Adam Tajan, Sandpoint
FIRST TEAM - Brittany Oakley, sr., Sandpoint; Liz Stone, sr., Sandpoint; Nicole Medeiros, jr., Lake City; Tareyn White, so., Post Falls; Rachel Crawford, jr., Coeur d'Alene; Kelsey McIntire, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Kerry Moller, Moscow; Kara Siers, jr., Post Falls; Whitney Wood, so., Coeur d'Alene; Nikki Webster, fr., Lake City; Hayley Smith, jr., Coeur d'Alene.
SECOND TEAM - Brittany Clawson, sr., Sandpoint; Kellsi Parson, Lewiston; Peggy Beyerlein, Moscow; Jessica Duran, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Hannah Slinkard, so., Post Falls; Meghan Roletto, jr., Coeur d'Alene; Sara Behm, sr., Lake City; Carli Steeley, Lewiston; Sandy Whalen, sr., Sandpoint; Heidi Mueller, jr., Post Falls; Jennifer Hansen, Moscow.