Weme, Crane lead Bulldogs to win in state opener

CALDWELL — One player’s performance was to be expected, another a bit of a surprise, but each proved key to Sandpoint’s 4-0 pasting of Blackfoot on Thursday in the opening round of the 4A girls state soccer tournament at Brothers Park.

Senior Emma Weme did what she does best, creating opportunities for teammates and dishing out three dimes, giving her a team-high 13 assists for the season. The Bulldogs (11-3-4) scored three first half goals to cruise to an easy win, a plus for any team in the first of three straight days of intense action.

“Emma’s assists were integral for us,” said Bulldogs head coach Conor Baranski. “Above all, it was a good team performance. We got to rest a lot of people. It was a very good game for us to start with.”

Kaylee Kiebert got the Bulldogs on the board first just six minutes into the game, and senior Sierra Scott added her team-best 16th goal 15 minutes later for an early 2-0 lead, a luxury at state where pressure can build fast and alter the makeup of games.

The biggest surprise of the first day was the play of sophomore Paige Crane, who assisted on Scott’s goal and scored her first goal of the season seven minutes later to stake the Bulldogs to a 3-0 first half lead.

“She got the assist on the second goal and scored the third goal, all within 10 minutes of her going on the field,” said Baranski of Crane, who logged quality minutes for the second game in a row. “I’m really impressed with how she’s dealt with these big games. She’s done really well for us.”

Makayla Sundquist stopped four shots to post her sixth shutout of the season, aided by the defensive back four of Corinne Ariss, Alanna Robinson, Madi Schoening and Ashtyn Evans. Baranski was able to empty his bench, which could pay dividends with fresher legs for the starters in the next two games.

Nan Kiebert added her fifth goal of the season on Weme’s third assist in the 61st minute to cap the scoring.

The Bulldogs now face Middleton (14-3-3), which downed Twin Falls 2-1 in the first round to advance to the semis. Middleton lost 2-0 to Bishop Kelly in the District III championship, and will present the Bulldogs with a tough challenge to get the finals.

Kickoff for today’s semifinal is 1 p.m. PST in Caldwell.

First half — 1, Spt, Kaylee Kiebert (Emma Weme), 6:00. 2, Spt, Sierra Scott (Paige Crane), 21:00. 3, Spt, Crayne (Weme), 28:00. Second half — 4, Spt, Nan Kiebert (Weme), 61:00.

Shots on goal — Spt 13, Blk 4.

Saves — Spt, Makayla Sundquist, 4; Blackfoot,  8.