PREP SOCCER: Sandpoint girls, boys first round opponents announced

As the 4A state championship brackets were revealed, Sandpoint got a look into how they currently stack up against the state’s best. In the opening round, Sandpoint’s girls are set to face off against Skyline while Sandpoint’s boys are tasked with defeating the returning state champions, Caldwell.

For the girls, No. 4 Sandpoint and No. 5 Skyline will meet for the first time since 2018. In their last meeting, which was also at the 4A state championship, the Bulldogs defeated the Grizzlies 3-1. Skyline has quality wins over Shelley and Idaho Falls this season, but has been defeated twice by Idaho Falls late in the season, who happens to be this years’ No. 7 seed. The Bulldogs resumé consists of two regular season wins over 5A Lake City and two quality wins over a tough team in Moscow, who they had to defeat in the district championship to get here.

For the boys, No. 6 Sandpoint and No. 3 Caldwell will meet for the first time since 2017. The Bulldogs fell to the Cougars 1-0 in the second round of the 4A state championship that year. Caldwell only has one loss this season, which happens to be against No. 1 seed Wood River — their only loss in the last two seasons. The Cougars boast quality wins over Bishop Kelly, Columbia, and Ridgevue (2), and come into the tournament with seven straight wins. However, Sandpoint has been hot as of recent, winning six of their last seven, which includes a 4-2 win over Coeur d’Alene.

BOYS 4A

Thursday

At Brothers Park, Caldwell

Match 1 — No. 4 seed Bishop Kelly (14-1-4) vs. No. 5 Century (12-2-0), 7:30 a.m.

Match 2 — No. 1 Wood River (15-2-2) vs. No. 8 Idaho Falls (9-6-2), 9:30 a.m.

Match 3 — No. 2 Canyon Ridge (15-2-0) vs. No. 7 Blackfoot (11-3-1), 11:30 a.m.

Match 4 — No. 3 Caldwell (13-1-3) vs. No. 6 Sandpoint (9-4-0), 1:30 p.m.

Friday

At Brothers Park, Caldwell

Match 5 — Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2, 7:30 a.m. (loser out)

Match 6 — Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4, 9:30 a.m. (loser out)

Match 7 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, 11:30 a.m. (semifinal)

Match 8 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 1:30 p.m. (semifinal)

Saturday

At Brothers Park, Caldwell

Consolation championship

Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6, 8:30 a.m.

Third-place match

Loser Match 7 vs. Loser Match 8, 10:30 a.m.

Championship

At Middleton High

Winner Match 7 vs. Winner Match 8, 2 p.m.

GIRLS 4A

Thursday

At Brothers Park, Caldwell

Match 1 — No. 4 seed Sandpoint (8-5-3) vs. No. 5 Skyline (10-4-5), 8 a.m.

Match 2 — No. 1 Pocatello (16-0-1) vs. No. 8 Canyon Ridge (12-5-2), 10 a.m.

Match 3 — No. 2 Bishop Kelly (16-1-1) vs. No. 7 Idaho Falls (9-8-1), noon

Match 4 — No. 3 Vallivue (14-5-0) vs. No. 6 Twin Falls (12-5-1), 2 p.m.

Friday

At Brothers Park, Caldwell

Match 5 — Loser Match 1 vs. Loser Match 2, 8 a.m. (loser out)

Match 6 — Loser Match 3 vs. Loser Match 4, 10 a.m. (loser out)

Match 7 — Winner Match 1 vs. Winner Match 2, noon (semifinal)

Match 8 — Winner Match 3 vs. Winner Match 4, 2 p.m. (semifinal)

Saturday

At Brothers Park, Caldwell

Consolation championship

Winner Match 5 vs. Winner Match 6, 9 a.m.

Third-place match

Loser Match 7 vs. Loser Match 8, 11 a.m.