SHS girls fall to Capital

MERIDIAN — Early miscues, as they often do in state tournaments, proved costly for Sandpoint, which fell 4-0 to Capital in the opening round of the 5A girls soccer tournament at Meridian High School.

Taking the pitch without their leading scorer in Bailey Hewitt, the Bulldogs (13-4-4) knew they'd need to play mistake free to have a shot against Capital (15-2-2), one of the top teams in southern Idaho.

Capital scored just five minutes into the game, built a 3-0 half time lead, and never let Sandpoint build any momentum. The Eagles got two goals from Taryn Cressy, and one apiece from Kate Stauffer and Eli Null.

"We were flat for whatever reason and made a bunch of mistakes that cost us," said head coach Adam Tajan after the game. "We knew it would be a challenge. They (Capital) didn't create their chances, we just made a lot of mistakes and basically gave them the opportunities."

Capital out-shot Sandpoint 18-2, peppering goalie Kelsey Windju, who tallied 14 saves in the game. Sandpoint will face Twin Falls, a 4-0 loser to Boise High School, in the consolation bracket today. Tajan hopes his team can regroup for a little run to close out the tournament.

"We're basically playing for pride now," he said. "To show south Idaho that we can hang at this level."

Sandpoint plays Twin Falls (12-5-3) today at 9:30 a.m. at Meridian High School.

n Badger girls advance

Bonners Ferry (11-7-1) beat Teton (17-3-2) in a wild 4-3 game that went to a shootout. They play Shelley today.