Sandpoint Falls In Semis

Bishop Kelly star Andoni Artiach is the best soccer player in Idaho, hands down.

He walked the walk Friday by scoring three goals in the Knights’ 4-1 victory over Sandpoint in the semifinals of the A-1 boys state tournament.

Unfortunately for the Knights, he also talked the talk, and was given a yellow card when he voiced his opinion of a call in the first half of a game that was a constant physical battle for both teams. Another card in today’s championship game would be an instant ejection.

“You can’t worry about a yellow card,” Artiach said. “I’ll play hard (today) and not even think about it.”

In the other semifinal, Idaho Falls upset defending state champion Meridian 3-1. Idaho Falls (10-3-2) faces Bishop Kelly (15-1-2) in the championship game today at 2:30 p.m. at Lake City High School.

In earlier loser-out play Friday morning, Boise beat Coeur d’Alene 3-0 and Highland blanked Pocatello 3-0.

In afternoon loser-out matches, Meridian rebounded to beat Highland 3-2 in overtime at Coeur d’Alene High. Meanwhile, at LC, Sandpoint beat Boise 1-0 in overtime.

In the consolation final today at noon at LC, Sandpoint (2-1) will face Meridian (12-6-1).

Bishop Kelly 4, Sandpoint 1

Arguably the best player in the history of Idaho boys soccer, Artiach’s three goals in the game raised his season total to 37. He continued to score despite getting booted in the head in the first half.

“He’s a special player with a gift for scoring goals,” Knights coach Buzz Splittgerber said.

The Knights struck first when Artiach took a Jamin Martin pass, beat two defenders, and made Sandpoint goalie Dave Nickodemus fall down on a fake before knocking it in 12 minutes into the game.

“We were marking Artiach too far away, but he’s so special around the ball that we could have put two defenders on him and he might score,” Sandpoint coach Ed Bock said.

Sandpoint played well in the first half, outshooting Bishop Kelly 8-7, but couldn’t convert on scoring chances because of fine play from Knights goalie Tony Bertagnolli.

“We’ve been solid this year because of good play from goalie to the front line,” Artiach said.