Sandpoint claims first state title since 2014

MIDDLETON — Sandpoint girls soccer is back on top.

After losing in the 4A state title game three straight years, the Bulldogs wiped away all that pain with a 2-0 victory over Kuna in the title match Saturday.

Junior goalkeeper Hattie Larson could hardly put her feelings into words.

“I feel weightless right now, honestly,” she said. “There is nothing on my shoulders, nothing holding me back it’s just like I’m flying. It’s amazing, I can’t even describe how it feels.”

The team overcame the demons of falling short to rival Bishop Kelly in the title game three seasons in a row and are state champs for the first time since 2014.

Sandpoint has now won eight 4A state titles, tying Bishop Kelly for the most since 2000 when the Idaho High School Activities Association started sanctioning the state tournaments.

Larson admitted this accomplishment is much bigger than them.

“We won this for all of the past teams of Sandpoint,” she said. “For Sandpoint as a whole, for everyone. This is not an individual title. For all the times we lost to Bishop Kelly, for all the past fears that have come from championship games it was all for them and this team. We’ve put in so much time and work into everything it means the world to us and for Sandpoint.”

And how fitting was it that Bishop Kelly was the team they beat to reach the title game. In that match with the Knights, Sandpoint Head Coach Conor Baranski called Larson the hero as she nearly single-handedly powered the Bulldogs to a 10-9 victory in penalty kicks.

Throughout the entire tournament, Larson was the Bulldogs MVP and she credits her mindset for her stellar play.

“My head was honestly a clean slate,” she said.” It was all the information and all of the knowledge that I’ve gained throughout the season and throughout my life of soccer in the back of my head knowing my instincts of what I needed to do and having confidence.”

Baranski said falling in the state title game by narrow margins multiple times was a tough pill to swallow but his team became stronger because of it.

“This feels like a long time coming,” he said. “It just feels like a culmination of the hard work of Sandpoint girls soccer over the past decade or so.”

The Bulldogs struck first in the game when sophomore forward Kylie Williams blasted a shot from outside the 18-yard box into the back of the net.

Then in the 18th minute, Larson fell to the ground to make a save and her head was struck by the foot of a Kuna player.

Larson was taken out of the game and freshman Kelsey Cessna replaced her. Nine minutes later, Larson reentered the game and was able to maintain a shutout in the first half despite Kuna applying much more pressure than the Bulldogs.

Sandpoint upped their offensive attack in the second half, but was unable to find the back of the net until sophomore defender Emma Thielbahr got a free kick in the 76th minute outside the penalty box. Thielbahr hit the ball and it bounced off a Kuna defender into the net.

The Bulldogs were able to fend off Kuna down the stretch to secure the 2-0 victory and the state crown.

“No dream compares to how good it feels,” Larson said. “It’s the best feeling that someone can have.”

First half — 1, Sandpoint, Kylie Williams (Kiley Webster), 15:00.

Second half — 2, Sandpoint, Kuna own goal, 76:00.

Shots on goal — Sandpoint 11. Kuna 5.

Saves — Sandpoint, Hattie Larson, 13, Kelsey Cessna, 1. Kuna, Ariel Kotte, 6.