Strong defense, potent offense guide Bulldogs at 4A state soccer tournament

SANDPOINT — The most important soccer day of the year has arrived for the Bulldog girls soccer team, which kicks off the 4A Idaho state soccer tournament this morning against Vallivue at 9 a.m. at Lake City High School.

The Bulldogs (11-3-1) will be heavily motivated after falling in the finals of the 4A state title game the past two years against rival Bishop Kelly, and will set about the path to claim the program’s 8th state championship banner against a dangerous road block in Vallivue (12-6-1), a former 5A program that recently dropped down to the 4A ranks.

One player in particular will have the Bulldogs’ full attention in University of Montana commit Lizzy Gonzalez, a player Bulldog head coach Conor Baranski knows all about.

“We saw her last year, and she looks like an athlete,” said Baranski. “She’s their go-to player. If we can shut her down, that’s the key.”

The old axiom ‘defense wins championships’ holds especially true in a sport where games can be decided by 1-0 scores. Luckily for the Bulldogs, they have a strong back four that has helped the team post seven shutouts against a brutally tough schedule.

Seniors Yeo Yarnell, Jezza Hutto and Mya Darling boast a wealth of state experience, and will team with talented freshman Emma Thielbahr to form a solid back four. The Bulldogs have adhered to a two-goalie approach, and splitting halves is working, with Hattie Larson and Shea Kilpatrick both capable of making big saves.

The Sandpoint offense has a host of players capable of finding the back of the net, which makes them difficult to defend. Riley Walkington leads the team with 20 goals and nine assists, Hutto has seven goals and four assists in limited offensive touches, Jordie Breeden has six goals and three assists, Emi Lynch four goals and two assists and Piper Frank three goals and three assists.

The talent and depth are there, but Baranski feels the girls are ultimately the ones that have to make the wins happen.

“They want it as much as anyone. They will be the deciding factor,” said Baranski of winning his third title at the helm. “If they truly believe they’ll win, they will. I put it in our player’s hands.”

Shelby Mohler, Kylie Burnett, Kiley Webster, Kayla Inman and Addi House will all provide valuable minutes, as the Bulldogs could face three games in three days.

Walkington, like Hutto playing in her four state tournament, likes her team’s chances of finally breaking through in her final attempt.

“Everyone is on a one-track mind,” said Walkington, noting the team’s strengths. “We’re quick, keep possession and have a passion to play in the state championship.”

Provided the Bulldogs can win twice, a big if at state, it would set up a chance for another battle with Bishop Kelly, which owns a 61 game win streak and two straight over Sandpoint.

Hutto, who knows full well what state entails, feels this year’s team has a tight bond that could play a key role.

“We’ve gone in the last few years not being fully confident we could beat Bishop Kelly,” she said. “I think our senior class has the energy and leadership to bring us a state title.”