‘It’s one of the best teams ever’

The Sandpoint High boys soccer program has accounted for six 4A state championships since the Idaho High School Activities Association started administrating the sport in 2000.

None of the state titles stand above the other in coach Randy Thoreson’s mind. Sure, some have carried perhaps more significance.

Thoreson will always remember the first one because, well, it was the first one. And the one the Bulldogs captured in 2006 will always stand out because it was a team that got off to a 1-7 start before finding a way to rally at the end of the season.

Then there’s the one that got away in 2003. Sandpoint fell 1-0 to Kuna in the final, and the Kavemen won by taking just one shot.

So Thoreson will always contend Sandpoint should have one more state title.

“If we play Kuna 100 times we lose once,” Thoreson said. “They packed it back and there was a cellophane bag over the goal. That’s the brutal part of this game – sometimes the best team doesn’t win. We crushed everybody we had played to that point. We were the best team in the state. We weren’t ready for a team where their total tactic was to pack it back the whole game. I kick myself in the butt for not reacting fast enough.”

Last year, the Bulldogs saw a string of nine straight trips to state snapped in a 1-0 loss to Moscow in the Region I final.

So the mission was clear this year – return to state, return to the top of the throne.

To that end, mission accomplished.

“It’s one of the best teams ever,” Thoreson explained this week, recounting the Bulldogs’ 19-1 season. “Obviously anytime you win a state championship it’s a special time for the whole team and community. I knew that this team was special from the very start.”

The 62-year-old Thoreson has established himself as the most successful coach in school history of any sport. Thoreson, who owns a construction business, is hinting that the end is nearing.

This season was especially trying on Thoreson – not because of any issues with his team, but personal issues. His mother died the day the Bulldogs clinched the Inland Empire League championship.

Thoreson was flying to California when his mother died. While he was at the state tournament, he couldn’t help but have her on his mind.

“She was definitely there with me at state,” Thoreson said. “I distinctly remember several times during the weekend thinking about her.”

He said he’s tempted to coach one more year. He would like to go out with the junior class.

But like Thoreson said, the minute he says that, the next seniors to be want him to do the same.

Who can blame them. Thoreson’s teams are a combined 182-28-15 overall and 107-13-12 in league. He could reach 200 career victories next season.

Although that would be swell, that’s not why he would coach one more year. He will return because he thinks he can make another run at a state title.

“There’s no other reason to play than to play to win the whole thing,” Thoreson said.

This year’s team consisted of seven seniors, five of whom started. They are: Tanner French (defender), Forrest Andrews (defender), Shawnn Carlson (keeper), Spencer Swerin (midfielder) and Ben Murray (midfielder). Seniors Jack Miller (midfielder) and Corey Hoffman (midfielder) saw considerable time off the bench.

Hoffman, in fact, had to play an expanded role at state. Fifteen minutes into Sandpoint’s opener, junior midfielder Adam Crossingham suffered a knee injury. Hoffman had to play the rest of the way.

“He scored a goal and had an assist in that game,” Thoreson said. “You can’t replace Adam, he’s a special player. But Corey came in and did a fantastic job.”

The core of the team returns – especially the offense.

Junior midfielder Daniel Anderson led Sandpoint with 17 goals to go with seven assists. Crossingham had 13 goals and five assists. Sophomore forward Tanner Williams had 12 goals and 15 assists.

“We were pretty much a step above the competition this year,” Anderson said. “We had a lot of confidence in every game.”

The Bulldogs will be favored to win again next year.

“It’s not amazing anymore,” Crossingham said of winning a state title. “It’s pretty common now days.”

Thoreson said one of the key elements the team possessed – over and beyond talent – was chemistry.

“Everybody was treated like an equal,” Williams said. “We had great chemistry between the older kids and the younger kids.”

Thoreson praised the play of Swerin and French at state.

“Spencer was the man of the tournament in the midfield for us,” Thoreson said. “And Tanner leaves impossible shoes to fill. He’s got it all. Several (NCAA) Division I schools are looking at him.”

The biggest decision that must be made in the off season is by Thoreson.

“The time it takes to do this program the way we do it is phenomenal,” Thoreson said. “I’ve loved every minute of it, but there are some people who have made some sacrifices so I can do it. It’s getting time to give my wife her first fall back in 20 years. There’s other things I’d like to do.”

Even if Thoreson retires, he won’t stray too far.

“I’ll always stay around soccer,” he said.