Pair of long shots helps Century trip Sandpoint

MERIDIAN, Idaho – For all but two shots Thursday, Sandpoint High School did what it needed to do against Century in the State 4A girls soccer tournament.

But those two shots proved to be the difference in an opening-round, 2-0 loss to the Diamondbacks from Pocatello, the only team other than Sandpoint to win a girls soccer state title since 2000.

Elizabeth Wahl launched a ball deep into the back corner of the Sandpoint net 4 minutes after the intermission to give Century (18-0-2) the only goal it would need against the 2004 state champions.

“We knew what to look for, and we let (Wahl) bring the ball across on her right foot,” Sandpoint coach Ed Bock said.

That right foot is what Wahl used to drive a looping shot from the top of the penalty area and over the head of Bulldogs goalkeeper Sarah Krabacher.

Thirty-three minutes later, Century’s Rebecca Fort stopped her progress, pivoted and launched another long shot from the far edge of the penalty box to establish the final score.

“That’s usually a sign that a team is having trouble working the ball in,” Bock said of the two long-range shots by Century. “There was nothing our keeper could have done.”

The Bulldogs (12-6-4) were visibly upset after the hard-fought loss to Century.

Sandpoint drops into the consolation bracket to face Emmett at 12:15 p.m. today at the Boise Capital Soccer Complex. Emmett lost 2-1 to Pocatello in another first-round game.

“We always play with a lot of character,” Bock said. “I expect them to come out and play very hard. We’ll be OK.”

Sandpoint was better than OK for most of the first half.

The Bulldogs showed off fresher legs by beating the Diamondbacks to every free ball and permitting Century only two meaningful possessions in the Sandpoint end of the field.

“Century is a good team, but I think we’re a better team,” Bock said. “When you play that well in the first half, to not get a win is very frustrating.”

Forwards Katie Adams and Rebecca Stone were among the Sandpoint players whose aggressive play kept the Bulldogs in control for most of the first half.

“The first half was probably one of our better halves as far as possession,” Bock said.

Sandpoint’s offensive pressure forced Century’s defenders to punch the ball out of bounds several times because the Diamondbacks didn’t have time to regroup and mount a counter attack.

Because of those desperation moves, Sandpoint was awarded several corner kicks in the first half, but neither Kaela Wohlschlager nor Adams was able to launch threatening kicks toward Century goalie Megan Sorensen.

“We certainly had some opportunities in the first half,” Bock said.

Those opportunities dried up in the second half.

Century assumed the dominant role in the second half, controlling the tempo and winning free balls.

With midfielder Tori Smith and defender Tori Allmaras leading the way, the Bulldogs kept their heads by using their heads in the second half to thwart any further Century threats.

“We’re not a great heading team, but I was impressed with how many headers the girls had out there, and I think that’s a sign of how much they wanted this game,” Bock said.

“Lakeland routed Mt. Home 5-0 in a State 4A girls tournament first-round matchup in Meridian.

The win sends the Hawks (14-4-1) into a semifinal matchup against Wood River today at 12:15 p.m.