Bulldogs looking to 'own the fact we're champs'

SANDPOINT — Seven other 4A teams want what Sandpoint has, what the Bulldogs have had for the past two years in fact. 

When the 4A state girls soccer tournament kicks off on Thursday between Sandpoint (7-5-3) and Century (13-1-1), one team will be trying to defend the crown, while the other is intent on knocking it off.

It’s a safe bet teams from down south are wise to Sandpoint’s ways, knowing full well their pedestrian record has been deceiving in the past two tournament runs, as nearly every match they play each year is against a bigger school.

Coaches from nearly every sport will concur that defending a championship is usually tougher than earning it in the first place. Bulldog head coach Conor Baranski is hoping his team embraces that challenge, and makes another deep tourney run.

“I’m going to make them own the fact that everyone knows, own the fact we’re the two-time champs,” admits Baranski, who likes his team’s chances. “I fully believe if we play as well as we can, we have as good a chance as anyone.”

Century has only lost one match all season, a 1-0 loss to 5A Skyline, which is 16-1 in its own right. The Diamondbacks are used to winning district titles, claiming 15 straight at one point, before Preston beat them this year, forcing Century to earn their state berth with a 3-1 play-in win over Rigby.

First round games at state are typically physical and can be tight, as team’s that know nothing about each other battle the nerves of state. If the Bulldogs just play like they can, Baranski feels confident.

“I tend to focus on us. With our schedule, we’ve seen it all,” he said. “There is no chance those teams down there will show us something we haven’t seen.”

The Bulldogs are led by freshman Riley Walkington, who has six goals and two assists, Caroline Suppiger, who has five goals and two assists and a predilection for big goals, and Sterling Hearly, who scored four goals on the year.

Senior goalie Paige DuMars has posted four shutouts this year, and also had three straight shutouts in goal last year at state. Defenders Riley Couch and Madi Schoening will anchor a back four that will get tested by some fast and diverse attacks, and by teams intent on taking down the champs.

“I feel like everyone will be looking out for us,” said Couch, who is confident in her final trip to state. “I fully expect us to win another one, we’re just on a roll.”

Schoening, a big and fast four-year starter who patrols the back line with a physical authority, believes having composure will be the key in her final trip to state.

“We just need to do our normal routine,” she said. “A lot of team bonding and just focusing on the game.”

The Bulldogs face the Diamondbacks on Thursday, at 11 a.m. at Brothers Park in Caldwell.