Bulldog seniors hoping to go out in style

SANDPOINT — There’s a few ingredients that can carry a team a long way in the state soccer tournament, where if things go well, teams get to play three games in three days.

Depth, talent and senior leadership are often key traits on state championship teams, and luckily for the Bulldogs (11-3-4), they’ve got all three in spades as they kick off the 4A state soccer tournament on Thursday against a dangerous side in Blackfoot (15-1-1).

But perhaps their most important trait, borne of a senior class that is playing in its first and only state tournament, is hunger. Sandpoint head coach Adam Tajan, who has won state titles as both a boys and girls coach, knows the value of that hunger.

“You’ve got to want it more than the other guy,” says Tajan. “Heart and desire will beat a talented squad any day of the week.”

The Bulldogs outscored their opponents 52-20 on the season, coming against a schedule that saw them play up 11 times against 5A competition.

Tajan knows the team will probably go as far as a strong senior class takes it.

“I’ll definitely lean on my go-to seniors and captains, Jack Rinck, Mitch Rust, Charlie Crane, Dawson Mulder, Amos Crossingham and Ben Schwartz,” admitted Tajan. “This team has shown that our roster is deep and that everyone can step up and contribute.”

Tajan’s claim is backed up with stats, starting with Mulder’s team high 22 goals on the season. Mulder is strong on balls in the air, dangerous in the open field and able to find teammates when he draws a crowd.

Crane has a team-high 10 assists to go with four goals, and many of his passes start goal-scoring runs from the midfield. Crossingham is most dangerous with the ball, able to beat defenders off the dribble in the attacking third and difficult to stop with just one defender.

To illustrate the aforementioned depth, consider how many other Bulldogs have left some ink on the score sheet: Rinck, six goals; Noah Hastings, six goals; Mac Stultz, five assists; Cole Baillie, five assists; and Christian Dressel, five assists. With a host of dangerous players on the pitch, the Bulldogs will be difficult to defend.

Senior goalie Mitch Rust brings good size and presence to the net, and he’ll no doubt get tested at state, with a key save or two often being the deciding factor in games.

The pieces are there, now it’s just a matter of trusting your game and navigating the state bracket.

“This is our first crack at state with these players,” said Tajan. “They’re fired up and hungry to prove they’re a state championship-caliber team. I like our chances.”

Sandpoint and Blackfoot play at 10 a.m. PST at the Idaho Falls Soccer Complex.

See tomorrow’s Bee for a state preview of the Bulldog girls soccer team.