Frank crowned MVP, 5 others named to all-league girls soccer team

After achieving a perfect 12-0 regular season, it's no surprise that six Sandpoint girls soccer players were named to this year's all-league team.

Piper Frank was crowned 4A Inland Empire League MVP and Kylie Williams, Kate McGregor, Aliya Strock, Kalila Tuinstra and Ashlee Webster all received spots on the all-league team.

The team was released to the media on Monday.

Frank, who is a star on the pitch, was a unanimous MVP pick by the league's coaches. The senior tallied nine goals and nine assists this fall. This is her second straight year earning all-league honors.

Head coach Conor Baranski said Frank made the Bulldogs tick all season long.

"She's really dangerous on attack as she can dribble past you, pass through your defense and then go find some goals as well," he said. "Whether she was playing as a forward or a midfielder, she was always one of the players at the heart of our success."

Williams was an offensive threat all season long, tallying 12 goals and five assists in 13 games. The senior gave opposing teams nightmares with her goal-scoring prowess and her ability to finish will certainly be missed, Baranski said.

"KW has been a dangerous attacking presence for us for the past three years because when she's roughly 30 yards from goal or closer, she is able to get a quality chance on target more often than not," he said. "Being a scoring threat from that far out is not common in our program, and it opens up a lot of space for others."

Webster was a constant force in the midfield and left her mark in her final season for the Bulldogs.

"Ashlee has been improving throughout her entire four-year career for us, and she capped it off with another impressive season," Baranski said. "The things Ashlee does might go unnoticed to the casual observer, but our coaching staff often called her the X-factor in games and drills because her contribution makes those around her better."

The Sandpoint defense was dynamite this fall thanks to the play of McGregor, Tuinstra and Strock. The Bulldogs secured seven shutouts in 2021.

McGregor also made an impact offensively, notching three goals and six assists as a senior.

"Ever since the state championship game against Bishop Kelly at the end of her freshman year, Kate has been a mainstay in our defense," Baranski said. "She's composed and organized on defense, and especially this year, she contributed on attack quite often. Since she's looking to play at the next level, I know she'll continue to find success because of those traits."

At centerback, Tuinstra was a force with her play and her voice. She also scored a special goal on Senior Night.

"I love Kalila's commanding presence as a centerback," Baranski said. "She's constantly communicating and organizing everyone around her, which is such a key attribute for any defender ... She's also one of the toughest players you will come across, which is also one of my favorite traits for defenders."

Opponents had a difficult time navigating their way past Strock all season. The sophomore is a key piece of the Bulldogs' future.

"Aliya is already a force to be reckoned with," Baranski said. "She completely shut down an attacking player who committed to Washington State University, she regularly attacks out of the back, she regularly makes long recovery runs to cover for her fellow defenders and she works hard to improve every single time she steps onto the field for a game or practice."

Baranski was named Coach of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to a 12-1 record in his 10th season.

ALL-4A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE GIRLS SOCCER

MVP — Piper Frank, sr., Sandpoint.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR — Claire Howard, sr., Lakeland.

COACH OF THE YEAR — Conor Baranski, Sandpoint.

ALL-LEAGUE — Kylie Williams, sr., Sandpoint; Kate McGregor, sr., Sandpoint; Aliya Strock, so., Sandpoint; Kalila Tuinstra, sr., Sandpoint; Ashlee Webster, sr., Sandpoint; Megan Poler, jr., Moscow; Araya Wood, so., Moscow; Jessika Lassen, so., Moscow; Makai Rauch, so., Moscow; Angela Lassen, sr., Moscow; Evelyn Bowie, fr., Lakeland.