'A hard way to lose a championship'

COEUR d’ALENE — For the first 100 minutes of the 4A state girls soccer championship, two of the best teams in the state essentially neutralized each other, as every ball was challenged and every yard of the pitch hard-earned.

Without a score in regulation and overtime, the outcome was ultimately determined by the drama-filled, edge-of-your-seat event that is the shootout, with Bishop Kelly of Boise winning 3-2 to take down defending state champion Sandpoint and conclude a perfect season.

The loss capped an emotionally draining three-day spate of games for the Bulldogs (9-7-5), who rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win the opener, before winning in a shootout in the semis and eventually falling in a shootout in the finals.

“It’s a hard way to lose a championship,” first-year Sandpoint coach Julie Pitre said. “I’m just as proud of them (players) as I would have been if they pulled it out and won.”

The game was about as evenly played as it gets, with each team creating a handful of strong scoring chances but unable to find the back of the net. Sandpoint sophomore goalie Hannah Griesemer, who didn’t start for the first half of the season, emerged at state and especially in the final, where she came up with several big saves to preserve her second straight shutout between the pipes.

In the shootout, as hundreds of family and spectators watched anxiously from the sideline, Nichole Pagano drilled Sandpoint’s first attempt, followed by a Bishop Kelly make. Whitney Reichold then had her second attempt blocked, before the Knights converted to take a 2-1 lead.

Sophie Meulenberg followed with a miss just over the crossbar on the Bulldogs’ third attempt, but Griesemer, who had separated her pinky on the previous shot, made a diving save to keep it 2-1. Jacque Cantrell then missed just wide on Sandpoint’s fourth attempt, before Griesemer again came up with a big save, her 18th of the game, to force a fifth-round kick.

Senior Melinda Van Dyk proceeded to tie it at 2 by calmly sliding the final shot in, setting up the game-winning attempt by Celia Harrison, who converted to help Bishop Kelly (22-0-0) claim its first ever state soccer title.

“This game was played between the top two teams in the state,” Bishop Kelly coach Curtis Eisenberger said. “We envisioned a 1-0 win. Sandpoint is outstanding and well organized, with a lot of good players.”

The Bulldogs’ back four defenders, Maddie Suppiger, Brooke Obaitek, Kendall Stratton and Cantrell were once again formidable, not allowing a goal for the second straight overtime game. Pitre had high praise for the play of her seniors, Van Dyk, Meulenberg, Sydney Morris, McKinzi Obaitek and Cantrell, whose collective work rate kept the Bulldogs in the game.

“My seniors were the hardest-working kids on the field of either team,” said Pitre. “We did a great job of shutting down their most dangerous players.”

While the seniors provided leadership, freshman Emma Weme provided plenty of spark, winning nearly every ball in her area and shutting down several runs with solid defense. Cantrell, who battled gamely with a heavily taped knee, kept a positive perspective on a season that started 2-6-2 before the Bulldogs gelled during a late season 10 game unbeaten streak.

“At the beginning of the season it didn’t look like we were going to state. We came a long way and all of us seniors played our hearts out,” said Cantrell, noting the team was trying to win the game for David Jenkins, a fixture on their bench who passed away this week. “Most of the cheers were for Jenkins. He always said ‘dog on it, dog on it,’ and that was our cheer most of the time. He was our inspiration.”

First half — none. Second half — none. Overtime — none.

Shots on goal — BK 22, Spt 21.

Saves — BK, Abi Yanke 17; Spt, Hannah Griesemer 18.