Pagano named league's Most Valuable Player
SANDPOINT — Senior forward Meghan Pagano was named Most Valuable Player, leading a strong contingent of six Bulldogs named to the 4A All-Inland Empire League girls soccer team, as voted on by the league’s coaches.
Pagano led the Bulldogs with six goals, to go with five assists, and brought a wealth of senior leadership to the pitch.
Junior forward Emma Weme was also named to the team, using her plus speed to score three goals while dishing out a team-high 10 assists. Rounding out the Bulldogs honored were junior defenders Alanna Robinson and Kendra Corless, sophomore defender Corinne Ariss and junior goalie Makayla Sundquist.
The strong defense led to seven shutouts on the year, and held 5A finalists Post Falls and Lake City to just one goal in four matches. On the season, the Bulldogs outscored their opponents 29-13, allowing less than a goal per game defensively.
Bulldogs head coach Conor Baranski said it was bittersweet seeing the Trojans and T-Wolves playing for the championship, but despite his team missing out on state, sees nothing but positives for the future.
Baranski said it was a nice feeling to see six of his players honored, noting it could have been more.
“I think most people in Sandpoint would have felt it fair to have our starting lineup as the league team,” he said, noting the Bulldogs weren’t just a six-player team. “We were well rounded. I learned a lot from the district loss, and the girls did as well. We’ll be even more prepared next year to prove we can win state.”
Baranski on what each player did to earn a spot on the all-league team:
n Pagano — “It was unanimous among the coaches that she was MVP. That’s an honor when your opposing coaches notice your skill. She was the brains behind the outfit for the most part.”
n Ariss — “The other coaches were very impressed with our defensive record. She also powered our offense by getting forward from the back position. Corrinne was the perfect mix between our excellent defensive record and getting in on the attack as well.”
n Weme — “She was our most lethal threat in the attack. Even though she wasn’t scoring, she provided a lot of our goals. Her work rate is second to none.”
n Robinson and Corless — “They were the perfect pair. They communicated well, and both tackled really hard. Kendra is an excellent tackler, and Allanna is great at winning balls out of the air. They were the anchors back there and one of the reason we let in so few goals.”
n Sundquist — “She was my choice for IEL newcomer of the the year. She blew away my expectations as a keeper. There were a few games we needed her to come up big, and she did that.”
4A All-Inland Empire League team
Most Valuable Player — Meghan Pagano, sr., Sandpoint; Kendyl Landeck, sr., Moscow.
Newcomer of the Year — Maddy Hull, jr., Moscow.
Coach of the Year — Meredyth Whiteman, Moscow.
MOSCOW — Britney Davis, sr., Kylie Gorton, sr., Kim Sprenger, jr. SANDPOINT — Corinne Ariss, so., Emma Weme, jr., Alanna Robinson, jr., Kendra Corless, jr., Makayla Sundquist, jr. LAKELAND — Angelique Wetherelt, jr., Jordan Ward, sr.