Weme, Scott lead Bulldogs on IEL soccer team
SANDPOINT — As one-two punches go, it was tough to beat Sandpoint seniors Emma Weme and Sierra Scott this season, and the two led a host of Bulldogs earning 4A All-Inland Empire League soccer honors, as voted on by the league’s coaches.
Weme had a hand in 24 goals this season, dishing out 16 assists to go with eight goals, while posting a whopping six assists at state. Her energy was a driving force for the Bulldogs, and earned her Most Valuable Player honors.
On the finishing end of many of Weme’s assists was Scott, who tallied a team-high18 goals, scoring in every game en route to the state title. Scott was named Offensive MVP of the league.
Second year coach Conor Baranski was also recognized with his first Coach of the Year honors, as his team went unbeaten in its final 15 games, including three shutout wins at state.
Also garnering all-league honors were senior defender Alanna Robinson, Athena Robinson, who posted three assists, and junior sweeper Corinne Ariss, who scored six goals.
Baranski on what each player did to earn the honor:
• Weme: “Emma getting MVP is quite a high honor. It was apparent at the IEL meeting that each coach was impressed with her play these last few seasons. For the second season in a row, she has provided by far the most assists on our team. On top of that, at the State tournament, which is after this voting occurs, she provided six assists for our seven goals at state. Incredible.”
• Scott: “Sierra getting Offensive Player of the League was a no-brainer for all coaches. Meghan Pagano, who was and is an excellent player, was our top goal-scorer last year with six goals. Sierra scored 18 this season. She nearly scored a goal a game, which far surpasses what most professionals achieve. She scored, early, late, and often, and always scored in important games.”
• Alanna Robinson: “Alanna is on the all-league team for the second season in a row. I literally built the defense around her this year, and her leadership, positivity, and never-say-die attitude were a large part of why we were successful this year. She’s going on to play at Corban University next year, and I have no doubt that she will continue with her success. I’m very excited for her.”
• Athena Robinson: “Athena surpassed my expectations this year. The improvements she has made to her game from last season to this season have been enormous. What’s most impressive about it is that she was great last year too. Her decision-making and toughness in the central midfield were better this year than last, and definitely contributed to our success.”
• Ariss: “Corinne did not want to move back to play center back. I didn’t want her to have to do that, but if you look at our results this season, we got a whole lot better when I reluctantly made the switch. She may be the smartest player on the field for us, and so I wanted to get her into the attack more. But, knowing how successful she and Alanna would be back there, I eventually had to drop her into defense. To her credit, she didn’t complain once.”
4A IEL GIRLS SOCCER
MVP — Emma Weme, sr., Sandpoint
Newcomer of the Year — Harley Hendry, fr., Lakeland
Coach of the Year — Conor Baranski, Sandpoint
Offensive MVP — Sierra Scott, sr., Sandpoint
Defensive MVP — Maddy Hull, sr., Moscow
Goalkeeper of the Year — Angelique Wetherelt, sr., Lakeland
SANDPOINT — Alanna Robinson, sr., Athena Robinson, sr., Corinne Ariss, jr. MOSCOW — Ashley Engberg, sr., Deven Chandler, sr., Kim Sprenger, sr., Marissa Wear, sr. LAKELAND — Natalie Beaton, sr