5A, 4A girls soccer preview: The SIC’s top players, contenders and dark horses in 2021
The Rocky Mountain girls soccer team established a dynasty last fall, winning a third straight championship — a feat no 5A boys or girls soccer team had accomplished since Idaho began an official state tournament.
But the Grizzlies find themselves looking up in the preseason predictions. Boise finished atop the 5A SIC coaches’ poll after falling to Rocky Mountain in each of those three state title games.
So is it finally Boise’s year? Can Bishop Kelly continue its dominance in 4A? And who are the top players and challengers this fall? We answer all those questions in our season preview below.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Logan Smith, Boise
The senior and Stanford commit’s speed makes her a nightmare for defenses no matter where she gets the ball. The two-time all-state selection can streak down the sideline and drop in crosses with pinpoint accuracy. Or she can take on defenders one-on-one and leave them in her dust.
Sammy Smith, Boise
The U.S. youth national team regularly calls in the sophomore and Logan’s younger sister for its training camps. She controls any game she’s a part of through her quickness, vision and intelligence. She also won the state’s all-class cross country runner and track athlete of the year awards as a freshman last season.
Violet Rademacher, Rocky Mountain
A box-to-box playmaker, the Portland commit and two-time all-state selection returns for her senior year. The central midfielder has started for each state championship team during the Grizzlies’ three-peat. She sets up teammates but is also a threat to bury one herself from outside of 30 yards.
Nadia Kincaid, Rocky Mountain
The accomplishments of the senior forward were often overshadowed by two-time Gatorade player of the year Kelsey Oyler. But she scored 17 goals last year, just two behind Oyler, who’s now at Gonzaga. Her elite speed and strong left foot will ensure she steps out of the shadow and will lead to even more goals this fall.
Hayden Wilsey, Timberline
The senior and Boise State commit can play multiple positions for the Wolves. But no matter where she lines up, she’s always a threat. The reigning all-state selection wears down opponents with her work rate and never-ending speed. And she creates just as many opportunities for others as she does for herself.
Sophia Avalos, Mountain View
Alongside Sammy Smith, the junior forward formed the backbone of the attack that led the U-16 Boise Thorns to the Far West finals in June. Her speed and agility allow her to dice up defenders. She also has the instincts to seemingly always find herself in the right spot at the right time.
Samantha Wind, Kuna
The senior started every game at center back last year, locking down opponents to key a late-season run to state. But she’s not just limited to her own end of the field. Her athleticism makes her a threat going forward, too. And she’s the one keeping the Kavemen organized and in sync.
Sophie Schmautz, Bishop Kelly
Her speed, aggressiveness and tenacity led Schmautz to rack up 15 goals and six assists in 13 games last fall. That performance earned her a spot on the 4A all-state team as a freshman. She returns to lead the Knights’ potent attack again.
Shae Olsen, Caldwell
Already a two-time, first-team all-conference selection, Olsen returns for her junior season. She helped lead the Idaho Inferno to a national President’s Cup title this summer. And she’s earned a reputation as a physical forward who will battle for every last scrap.
5A SIC PREDICTIONS
THE FAVORITE: Boise finished one win away from a perfect season last year. But nine starters return looking to avenge that loss, earning Boise seven out of 10 first-place votes in a preseason poll.
The Smith sisters often dominate the conversation, and for good reason. But the reigning district champs feature a ton of talent to keep defenses honest. Junior goalkeeper Sophia Hills shined last year. And junior Annie Liebich, who will return midseason from an injury, also earned all-state honors.
THE CONTENDERS: It’s hard to call Rocky Mountain, the three-time defending state champ, anything but the favorite. But the Grizzlies finished a distant second to Boise in the preseason coaches’ poll.
Oyler’s graduation leaves big shoes to fill. But Rocky Mountain still returns eight starters from an experienced squad with a mantle full of trophies. That includes plenty of offensive firepower in Kincaid (17 goals), Rademacher (12 goals), Kaitlyn Slocum (14 goals) and Tryne Tamminga (seven goals).
Meanwhile, Timberline enters a new era with Jarreth Chan as the new coach. He inherits a squad with six returning starters, including a dynamic forward in Wisley and a playmaking midfielder in London Carter.
He plans to install a patient system featuring more build-up through the midfield and interchangeable positions. That system would make the Wolves unique and difficult to prepare for.
THE DARK HORSES: Mountain View returns five starters from a squad that qualified for state, including some of the league’s top forwards (Avalos) and defenders (Cydney Ziegler, Halle Dastrup). The offseason knee injury to Boise State commit Avery McBride put a damper on preseason expectations. But the Mavericks still have the talent and athleticism to contend.
Eagle saw its run of three straight state tournament appearances snapped last year. But the Mustangs return seven starters trying to make it back. Junior Grace Nelson and senior Kayla Wallace anchor the midfield as creative forces. And Eagle is excited about sophomore goalkeeper Casey Southard moving up to varsity.
Centennial has not returned to state since winning it all in 2017. But this could be the Patriots’ year. Six starters return, including three defenders and junior goalkeeper Kaiya Pardue, a three-year starter. That should make Centennial stout in its own end while leading scorer Asia Lawyer returns for her junior season.
4A SIC PREDICTIONS
THE FAVORITE: Perennial power and 12-time defending district champ Bishop Kelly returns as the clear front-runner. The Knights return seven starters, including all-state defender Lexi Chatterton and Schmautz, an all-state forward. That gives first-year coach Dawn Hill a solid base to build upon. She previously led St. Francis in Mountain View, California, to four section titles in 17 years.
THE CONTENDERS: Graduation hit Middleton hard, costing the Vikings seven senior starters. But loaded freshman and sophomore classes will mix with a few key holdovers to form one of Bishop Kelly’s top challengers. Junior midfielder Grace Moore returns for her third season as a starter, and she’ll pair with sophomore Zoey Takeuchi and freshman Addie McCallister to form the heart of the Vikings.
Vallivue returns five starters, including nearly all of its offensive production. Junior midfielder Alondra Osuna is a reigning first-team all-conference selection, while Lizbeth Soto and Alyssa Soto earned second-team honors last year. But the Falcons must rebuild on the back end after the graduation of three defenders and a first-team all-conference goalkeeper.
THE DARK HORSES: Columbia must replace seven starters from a team that finished third at state a year ago, just the second state trophy in program history. But it also returns several key players, like first-team all-conference defender Kirsten Jonas, sophomore Jada Myers and senior goalkeeper Kennady Flint. Former Ridgevue coach Randy Fone takes over and said the Wildcats have lots of speed to build an attack with.
Caldwell last made it to state in 2003. But with eight returning starters, this is the Cougars’ best shot in years to contend. Olsen stands as the unquestioned leader. But she’ll have plenty of help with an attack featuring senior Evelyn Araiza, junior Julissa Carceras and freshman Johanna Serrato.
This story was originally published August 18, 2021 at 1:55 PM.
