5A BOYS
Boise and Mountain View were the only District Three teams to emerge with wins and will meet in the semifinals. “If you’re going to win state, you’re going to have to go through Boise in some way,” Mountain View coach Rick Latham said of the District Three champs.
Carter Perry and Richard Ridlon scored for Boise within the first 20 minutes against Centennial, and that’s all the Braves needed for a 2-0 win. “The guys were just pumped up to play,” coach Mike Darrow said.
Mountain View’s Tias Rosenkrance scored twice, including the game-winning penalty kick late in the second half, and the Mavericks advanced with a 4-3 victory over Idaho Falls despite losing a 3-1 lead. Coach Latham loved his young team’s aggressive play and believes it will carry over into the semifinals, he said.
4A BOYS
Still tied with Century after extra time, Jacob Nitu made 3-of-3 saves in PKs, and Saxton Millard’s successful PK won it for Skyview. “I have never seen that happen in all my years of playing and coaching,” Skyview coach Shawn Pelton said of Nitu’s clutch performance. Kevin Field, Skyview’s leading scorer, sat out the victory to serve a red-card suspension, but will return in the next round.
Middleton beat Jerome 3-1, with two goals from Briston Lowell and one from Jacob Legg, setting up a semifinal match against Skyview. “Our midfielders, Christian Anaya and Alfredo Lopez, really did a great job controlling the field,” Middleton coach Larren Weber said.
3A BOYS
Fruitland won a first-round game for the first time in school history. The Grizzlies knocked off American Falls 5-2 as junior Brandon Hernandez and sophomore Trey Nattress each scored two goals. Fruitland coach Emilio Carbajal said the Grizzlies controlled the pace and held a 2-0 advantage at the half. Fruitland will be out for revenge in Friday’s semifinal against Teton. The Redskins beat the Grizzlies 4-0 in the first round of last year’s state tournament.
5A GIRLS
District Three champion Timberline dispatched conference foe Mountain View 2-0 to advance to the semifinals, where the Wolves face Highland. Maison O’Neill scored both goals for Timberline, which last won a state championship in 2008. “Maison just decided to put the game on her back today,” coach Ross Schultz said.
Eagle defeated Skyline 3-2 and will play Post Falls in the semifinals. Meredith Harrison and Gabby Ririe both scored for the Mustangs, who were helped by a Skyline own goal.
4A GIRLS
Two-time defending state champion Bishop Kelly beat Preston 4-0. Mickie Piechowski, Maddie Minnaert, Hannah Heffner and Alyssa Stewart scored for the Knights, who have not lost a game since the 2009 season. Coach Curtis Eisenberger said his team played “phenomenal soccer” at the end of the first half, which resulted in a 2-0 lead.
3A GIRLS
McCall-Donnelly began defense of its state championship with a 4-1 victory against American Falls. The Vandals led 3-0 at the half after scoring goals in the third, 21st and 27th minutes. American Falls did not score until a penalty kick in the 80th minute. Forwards Lindsey Hall and Brooke Thomas led the Vandals with two goals apiece. “It is always such a relief to get that first win, especially against a team we knew nothing about,” McCall coach Greg Pittenger said.
