Bulldogs kick off quest for 6th state title today
<p>Sandpoint defenders, from left to right: Madi Schoening, Corinne Ariss, Alanna Robinson and Ashtyn Evans. Each had a motto written on their knuckles in the district championship that said this: Hold Fast. “All the defenders always in front of our mark,” described Ariss of the credo. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p><p></p>
SANDPOINT — Bring on the champs. Bring on big, bad Bishop Kelly.
It’s not hubris, overconfidence or looking ahead, it’s merely something the Bulldog girls are hoping for a crack at when they open the 4A state tournament today at Brothers Field in Caldwell.
Sandpoint (10-3-4) head coach Conor Baranski has said from two-a-days in the fall that his program was playing for the state title in 2013, and to achieve that goal, it’s a safe bet they’ll have to go through Bishop Kelly. It all stems from belief, and Baranski is hoping his charges are ready to win three games in a row.
“I hope every one of my players truly believes that we can take the state title this year,” said Baranski. “Obviously we are taking it one game at a time, but our goal is to meet Bishop Kelly in the final, and beat them like this program did a few years ago before my time.”
The first order of business is to take down Blackfoot (5-6-1) today in the opener. The Bulldogs are playing their best soccer of the season, and will look to continue building momentum through the tournament.
Leading the charge will be seniors Sierra Scott, who has 15 goals and two assists, and Emma Weme, who has eight goals and 10 assists. The pair have anchored the offensive attack all season, accounting for 25 of the Bulldogs’ 38 goals.
Weme’s speed and passing abilility mesh well with Scott’s strong right leg, making the duo tough to defend.
Nan and Kaylee Kiebert have combined for six goals and seven assists as the two attacking wings, and each brings intensity to the pitch.
Makayla Sundquist has posted five shutouts in goal for the Bulldogs, aided by the back four play of Corinne Ariss, Alanna Robinson, Ashtyn Evans and Madi Schoening.
Should the Bulldogs handle their business on the top half of the draw, and Bishop Kelly advances in the bottom half, it would set up an intriguing championship, to say the least. Each team owns five 4A state banners, and are arguably the two best teams in the state right now.
The Knights (18-0-1) tied the nation’s longest girls soccer winning streak at 48 games in August, and have been extending the streak ever since. They have won five of the last six 4A state titles, and they’re well aware of Sandpoint. The Bulldogs shocked the Knights in the 2009 state title game, the last time the Knights have tasted defeat. The two teams also met in epic finals in 2010 and 2011.
While the Bulldogs’ record might not sparkle quite as brightly, it’s important to note two of their three defeats came at the hands of Central Valley and Gonzaga Prep of the Greater Spokane League, and one of their ties was against 4A soccer power Mead. That salty competition can prepare a team well for the rigors of state.
Baranski hopes his team can stay composed and not get too fired up, something that has hampered their play in the past, and continue to grind until the final whistle.
“Continue the trend of fighting until the last minute, no matter what,” said Baranski. “This team has proven they can do that, and it’s going to be essential in tougher games. If we play at our best, I think we’ll see some success.”
The Bulldogs face Blackfoot today at 10 a.m. (PST) in Caldwell.