Bulldogs looking to break through for another title

Extra hungry after two straight losses in 4A final

By ERIC PLUMMER

Sports editor

SANDPOINT — Nothing can stoke hunger and drive like consecutive runner up finishes at state, especially when the two losses came at the hands of arch-nemesis Bishop Kelly, an opponent the Bulldog girls soccer team knows all too well in one of the best current rivalries going on in the state right now.

More often than not, the two teams meet in the 4A state championship game, combining to win 10 of the past 11 state titles, with Preston crashing the party in 2015. So it came as little surprise that the Knights came up when Bulldog head soccer coach Conor Baranski was asked about his team’s goals for the 2018 season.

The old adage says something along the lines of you’ve got to beat the best to be the best, and right now the team to beat is Bishop Kelly. The Bulldogs are more than happy to come for the crown, and they’re not afraid to talk about it.

“We want to beat Bishop Kelly at state, get over that hump of being runner up two years on a row. The goal is to go undefeated in Idaho, and also surprise a GSL (Greater Spokane League) team,” said Baranski, noting a big key. “Their belief in each other. A few players in the last couple of years had some doubt. I want to get rid of that, be confident in team and in self.”

Leading the charge for the team’s 8th state banner since the sport became sanctioned in Idaho in 2000 is dangerous senior midfielder Riley Walkington, the returning 4A Inland Empire League MVP who has given a verbal commitment to play for Big Sky power Eastern Washington University next year.

Last year she tallied a team-high 13 goals while dishing out four assists, and Baranski is hoping she uses unrivaled dribbling ability to create more chances for teammates this season, as she figures to draw a crowd of defenders.

“I would argue she’s the best dribbler in Sandpoint, male or female,” praised Baranski. “She wants to score the most goals, get the most assists, she wants the ball on her feet, wants that pressure. She wants to work on her passing game.”

There are scoring threats all over the pitch for the Bulldogs, who went 12-3-1 last season, including a perfect 4-0 in league play. Junior forward Emi Lynch rippled the back of the next seven times last year to go with three assists, senior Kayla Inman scored four goals, sophomore Jordie Breeden dished out five assists and junior Kiley Webster, sophomore Hannah Eddy and freshman Piper Frank are emerging talents in the balanced attack.

A pair of returning all-league senior defenders also figure to get in on the scoring action, as Yeo Yarnell and Jezza Hutto have been huge contributors in both of the last two state title attempts. Just because they’re shutdown defenders doesn’t mean they can’t contribute on both ends of the pitch.

Both are dangerous on set pieces and corner kicks, and can play multiple positions. Hutto finished with five assists and two goals, while Yarnell added two goals and two dimes last season.

“I hope to get Jezza and Yeo the ball in attacking positions, they’re both really good attackers,” said Baranski, who owns two state titles under his watch. “Hannah and Jordie have improve a lot in the attack. They’re very hungry. I think they’ll both have great years.”

Yarnell is aggressive and has great length and timing, able to challenge and block a lot of shots and clog passing lanes. She is excited about the potential of this team.

“We have a strong defense, calm and composed,” claimed Yarnell. “We have a lot of good players, and I’m feeling really confident.”

Anchoring the defense is senior Mya Darling, entering her fourth year on varsity. Like many of her teammates, she’s no stranger to the state stage, and will play a big role on a defense that will also feature talented freshman Emma Thielbahr.

“Mya has been a starting defender since midway through her freshman year,” said Baranski. “I want her to take responsibility and want the pressure of being a senior. I know she’s capable of it.”

Junior Shea Kilpatrick picked up four shutouts last season, and her experience in goal enables Yarno and Hutto to push up. She’ll be backed up by Hattie Larson, who got some varsity experience last year.

With a nice mix of seasoned veterans and young newcomers to varsity, the talent is there for another strong campaign, as the Bulldogs will look to improved upon a solid 5-2-1 mark against 5A teams while navigating a typically loaded schedule.

“It’s cool because we’ve got six new players,” said Baranski. “They are going to be fast paced, competitive, talented. We hope to score a lot of goals.”

And who knows, maybe the Bulldogs and Knights will clash in another epic final and add another chapter to a burgeoning rivalry. One thing is for sure, the Bulldogs are hungry to avenge the last two years.

“The main thing on everyone’s mind is winning state. We’re ready, we have a deep bench and should be good to go,” said Walkington, one of the top players in the state. “We’re possession based, mentally tough. Always ready to go, no matter who we play.”