Baranski named new SHS girls soccer coach

SANDPOINT — Conor Baranski had a standout career as a soccer player in Sandpoint, a town boasting an unusually rich soccer tradition.

He is now hoping to carry on that success as a coach, and on Tuesday was named the new girls head soccer coach at Sandpoint High School.

Baranski, 26, succeeds Julie Pitre, who stepped down after a two-year stint that saw her teams post a 16-16-10 record. Under Pitre, the Bulldogs made two state tournament runs, falling to Bishop Kelly in overtime of both championship games.

New Sandpoint athletic director Kris Knowles called his first official hire an outstanding candidate.

“He was a great soccer player with some tremendous playing experience,” said Knowles. “He’s young, but has a vast amount of coaching experience. He’s good for our program.”

Baranski lost just one game as a varsity player at Sandpoint under the tutelage of Randy Thoreson, scoring 22 goals to go with 12 assists as a senior. He went on to play center-mid at Gonzaga from 2004-08, eventually coaching soccer at the club level.

Last year he was the varsity coach at Molalla High School in Oregon, and was thrilled when he heard about the chance to get back to Sandpoint.

“I want to give back to the community that’s given me so much,” said Baranski, well aware of the past history of the program. “I want to continue the success that Adam Tajan and Julie Pitre had.”

The 2012 girls team returns a host of starters returning with state tournament experience, and Pitre will remain on the coaching staff as an assistant.

Baranski wants his team to play what he termed the beautiful game.

“Possession oriented, lots of passing, keeping the ball,” described Baranski of his coaching style. “My goal every year is to win state.”