Bulldog girls fall to Twin Falls
Kimberly Yarnell and Hannah Harvey celebrate Yarnell's goal Friday during the 4A State Soccer Tournament.
(Photo courtesy JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
Aliya Strock heads a ball away from net on defense during the Bulldogs battle with Twin Falls Friday during the 4A State Soccer Tournament.
POST FALLS — The Sandpoint Bulldogs' hopes of a state championship went down the drain Friday afternoon, as they lost 2-1 to Twin Falls at 4A state tournament.
The setting of the game, the Real Life Fields in Post Falls, was a dreary one.
From the opening face-off to the final whistle, rain poured onto the field, making plays more difficult and focus harder to keep.
Sandpoint coach Connor Baranski said the weather was a contributing factor in the loss.
“Just because Twin Falls plays more direct, they’re kind of playing more long balls at our defenders. In the rain, the ball skips a little more and it’s kind of harder to read.”
These long balls were the main reason why the Bulldogs would be down 2-0 at halftime, Baranski said.
“Our defenders didn’t deal with a couple long balls the way they should have,” he added.
Despite being down by two, Baranski said he and the team still felt confident they could rebound going into the half.
Senior Kimbo Yarnell would give her team some hope early in the second with a goal, assisted by freshman Ava Glahe
Unfortunately for them though, it wasn’t enough to get the comeback. Despite numerous late game pushes into the offensive zone, Twin Falls was able to hold on for the win.
“To be honest, I am a little frustrated,” Baranski said. “Our team could have responded a bit better. I thought we could have showed up better mentally today. That was not our best performance.”
The Bulldog girls will play Saturday at noon in Post Falls for a chance at third place.
