Champion Bulldogs
BOISE – Alex Crossingham’s skill with the free kick gave Sandpoint the only score in its championship match with Skyview of Nampa at the boys State 4A soccer tournament at the Boise Capital Soccer Complex Saturday afternoon.
The goal, 9 minutes into overtime, gave the Bulldogs (12-9-2) their second straight overtime win against an undefeated opponent at state after topping Burley 3-2 in the semifinals Friday. Skyview finished its season at 22-1-0.
Crossingham scored twice on free kicks in Sandpoint’s win over Burley. No one on the opponent’s wall nor the goalkeeper Andy Valadez, who made a couple of masterful saves during regulation, got near the line-drive shot into the upper-right corner.
“I knew it was in as soon as I kicked it,” the junior said.
Trying to get a shot, freshman Adam Crossingham was tripped by Skyview defender Tony McClure about 20 yards in front of the net, bringing the whistle for the free kick. Both of Alex Crossingham’s goals Friday came from a similar distance but had to deal with a stiff wind. The weather for the title match was sunny and calm.
“It was the same position as yesterday,” Alex Crossingham said. “It was way easier to place the ball without the wind.”
Sandpoint pressured the Hawks from the start of the overtime period, getting six shots or setups for shots to only one for Skyview. That late effort mirrored the Bulldogs’ surge late in the match Friday, when they came back from a 2-0 deficit to win in overtime.
“We just wanted to get out of here and not let it get to penalty kicks,” said junior defender Gunnar Paulsen.
Sandpoint put the greater pressure on goal in the first half. The Hawks did in the second half, with the Bulldogs having a slight edge in shots and corner kicks for the match.
Both sides created several scoring opportunities that easily could have decided the game if not for strong defensive play.
“It was a great match with two good teams,” said Sandpoint coach Randy Thoreson. “It’s the third game in the tournament in three days. Both teams were in overtime yesterday. You’re playing your heart out. That’s tough. This is a challenge.”
Skyview senior midfielder Jose Ballesteros suffered a knee injury midway through the first half. He missed part of the first half and played the rest of the game with a noticeable limp at times.
“I think he’s the best player on the field,” said Skyview coach Dave Hagen. “We had to adjust our game. I felt that we did make the adjustments very well. We came out on the short end of a free kick.
“Of course we’re upset about how it ended, but we left it all on the field. These guys really stepped up.”
In other matches, Burley defeated Bonneville 4-3 on a goal in the last minute of regulation in the third-place match. Pocatello edged Middleton 1-0 in the consolation championship.