Controversial Call Boosts Sandpoint To A-1 Soccer Win

After a season of hard work, losing at state on a controversial call is a nightmare for any team. Unfortunately, such a nightmare came to life in the opening round of the Idaho A-1 boys state soccer tournament Thursday.

Sandpoint defeated Highland of Pocatello 3-2 in a disputed suddendeath shootout after two overtimes and the first shootout couldn’t decide the outcome. The Rams immediately appealed the game, but were denied.

The other North Idaho team in the tournament, Coeur d’Alene, was beaten 5-1 by defending state champion Meridian.

In other opening matches, Bishop Kelly downed Pocatello 4-0, and Idaho Falls beat Boise 1-0.

In semifinal play this morning, Bishop Kelly (14-1-2) plays Sandpoint (1-0) at Lake City High School, while Meridian (11-5-4) battles Idaho Falls (9-3-2). Both matches begin at 10:30.

In loser-out play, Pocatello (5-6-4) plays Highland (8-4-4) at LC, and Coeur d’Alene (2-1) plays Boise (9-3-5) at Coeur d’Alene High. Both of those matches begin at 8:30 a.m.

Sandpoint 3, Highland 2

The disputed late call that decided this one occurred on the first shot of the sudden-death shootout.

Sandpoint defenseman Chris Vanderford, after missing his first shot, was awarded a reshoot because of a violation by Highland goalie Jason Keens. The call was not made, however, until after the ball had been placed for Highland’s next attempt.

Vanderford then made good on his second attempt and Keens was ejected from the game for using vile language.

That forced Rams fullback Conrad Gollob into goal in Keens’ absence. Highland made its first shot, but couldn’t answer a goal that Bulldog Devin Price pushed past Gollob.

“It’s unfortunate that a hard-fought game like this had to end this way,” Highland coach Randy Bosh said.

Sandpoint struck first with a goal from Shane Thoreson that banged off the left post and into the net. Highland scored the next two goals in the first half on shots from David Claunch and Matt Eldredge. J.P. Huguenin sent the game into overtime with a goal in the 74th minute.

“We did a nice job in the second half of tightening up on defense and playing with more intensity,” Sanpoint coach Ed Bock said.

The first shootout ended in a 4-4 tie as both teams scored almost at will. But the controversial second shootout proved decisive.

“We appealed because it’s just like basketball or football where, if possession changes, the play can’t be reversed,” Bosh said.

Meridian 5, Coeur d’Alene 1

Meridian jumped all over the Vikings early in a show that will no doubt remind the rest of the tournament field who the defending state champions are.

“They played at a speed that we weren’t prepared to play,” Viking coach John Smith said.

Spearheading the Warriors attack was sweeper and co-captain Mike Larsen. Larsen rarely allowed the Vikings’ offense to get close to the Meridian goal. On offense, he had an assist and a near-goal on a shot from just inside midfield that banged off the top of the Viking goal.

“Mike is one of our team leaders and he organizes our defense very well,” Warriors coach James Lang said.

Meridian was up 3-0 at halftime, but the Vikings played aggressively early in the second half and got a goal from Beau LaTorrette to pull within two.

“We played well in stretches, but we didn’t do ourselves any favors,” Smith said.

Meridian’s Jeff Bird snuffed the Vikings’ momentum with a goal at 52 minutes. Ryan Huber scored the Warriors’ final goal on a header at 76 minutes.

The Vikings often looked rusty while Smith felt the Warriors played much smoother. Viking sweeper Joel Grabenstein said his team was handicapped because North Idaho teams have only competed in three games while the southern teams have played a full season.

“It’s tough to put together a team in three weeks, and to have to play against teams that have been playing all season makes it harder,” Grabenstein said.