Sandpoint falls in shootout with Century at state opener

CALDWELL — After 100 minutes of soccer failed to yield a goal, Sandpoint and Century went to a shootout, where the Diamondbacks made three penalty kicks and the Bulldogs just one, adding up to a 1-0 shootout loss for the Bulldogs in the opener of the 4A girls state soccer tournament Thursday at Brothers Park in Caldwell. 

The Bulldogs (7-6-3) struggled in the first half, but managed to keep the game scoreless.

“In the first half we played very poorly. The girls were too nervous and they let their nerves get to them. We were lucky to go into half at 0-0,” admitted head coach Conor Baranski. “We talked at half about how they needed to change their fates, and they did, playing extremely well in the second half.”

The Bulldogs were able to control possession and generate some solid looks at a goal in the last 40 minutes, but couldn’t finish, ending regulation tied at 0-0. The two teams would play another two golden goal overtimes, again going scoreless.

The Bulldogs finished with 13 shots on goal, and Paige DuMars kept a clean sheet with 10 saves in goal.

The game went to a shootout, which are famous for going either way, and ultimately led to defeat for Sandpoint, which missed on three of four attempts while Century (14-1-1) made three.

“Unfortunately, we did not capitalize in the shootout,” described Baranski. “Riley Walkington hit hers, then we missed, perhaps it was nerves again.”

The Bulldogs now shift their focus from winning a third straight championship to winning the consolation trophy. To do so, they’ll need to win the final two games, starting today against Kuna in a state loser-out game.

Speed and physicality are essential at state, where the frequency and intensity of contact increases, as is employing a deep bench when possible, preserving fresh legs for potentially three games in three days.

Baranski called the opener disappointing, and hopes his team bounces back today.

“We’ll be looking to pick ourselves up. Losing two in a row would be a travesty,” said Baranksi. “We will look to win the consolation bracket now.”

Sandpoint plays Kuna,, which lost 1-0 to Twin Falls, today in a consolation game at 11 a.m. at Brothers Park.