Sandpoint girls advance to state final

CALDWELL — Junior defender Jezza Hutto was a huge factor on both ends of the field, helping shut down a pair of dangerous forwards and also tallying a goal and two assists to help the Bulldog girls shut down Skyview 4-1 in the semi-finals of the 4A state soccer tournament at Brothers Park in Caldwell.

The win sets up another finals showdown in the storied rivalry between Bishop Kelly and Sandpoint, with kickoff today at 3:30 p.m. PST at Middleton High School.

“They showed me so much character. They really came to play,” said Bulldog head coach Conor Baranski of the convincing semis win. “It was a gutsy, intelligent performance by our players.”

Kayla Inman got the Bulldogs (12-2-1) on the board in the 14th minute, but Skyview (17-4) would equalize midway through the half. Riley Walkington added a go-ahead goal, her team-high 13th on the year, late in the half on a header.

Assisting on both goals was the increasingly dangerous Hutto, who moves up from defense into the attack whenever the situation warrants, and the crafty Hutto was able to find open teammates in the final third.

“Jezza won balls, got to the end line and sent crosses in, very impressive,” described Baranski of the first two goals. “Kayla got on the end of one, and Riley on the other.”

It took all of about 15 seconds for the Bulldogs to turn a 2-1 lead into 3-1, as Casey Shaha stole the ensuing kickoff from Skyview and added an insurance goal in the 38th minute, her 12th on the season, that all but sealed the win in the first half.

“Right off the kickoff Casey sprinted at her, made a tackle and won the ball,” recalled Baranski of the third goal. “She went at the keeper for a goal.”

Hutto, Yeo Yarnell and Mya Darling were once again tough in a three-player defense, getting help from Hadley Marshall and Rachel Meyer as defensive mids.

Skyview had a pair of dangerous strikers, and Baranski made sure his team put the clamps on them and made other Skyview players beat them.

“They have a player who has 38 goals. We focused on her, and neither of their top scorers scored,” said Baranski, noting Skyview had one of the best players in the state. “She was dangerous. We got pressure and cover, got as many players around her as possible.”

When the 4A brackets were first posted, it was hard not to look ahead to another clash between the two best 4A girls programs in the state, and the matchup came to fruition with relative ease.

The Knights (21-0) beat Vallivue 6-2 in the other semi, setting up a showdown with arch nemesis Sandpoint in the finals. The two teams have combined to win nine of the past 10 state titles, the Knights winning five and the Bulldogs four, and Baranski is hoping to even that score and avenge last year’s 3-1 loss to the Knights in the final.

“I’m excited. Bishop Kelly plays good soccer, and we play good soccer,” said Baranski, seeking his third state title at the helm. “It will be two teams looking to break each other down, a chess match. I’m confident we can win. If we play well, we will win.”

Kickoff is at 3:30 PST in Middleton.

First half — 1, Spt, Kayla Inman (Jezza Hutto), 14:00. 2, Skyview, 26:00. 3, Spt, Riley Walkington (Jezza Hutto), 38:00. 4, Spt, Casey Shaha (unassisted), 38:00. Second half — 5, Spt, Hutto (Hadley Marshall), 68:00.

Shots on goal — Spt 12, Sky 6.

Saves — Spt, Shea Kilpatrick, 5; Sky, Emily Jordan, 7.