One title down, two to go. Timberline caps undefeated regular season with 5A SIC crown
Check one goal off the Timberline High boys soccer team’s list this season.
The Wolves topped defending state champion Boise 1-0 on Monday, clinching the 5A Southern Idaho Conference title for the first time since 2015 on the final day of the regular season.
Three teams — Timberline, Boise and Borah — entered the day with a chance at the title. But the undefeated Wolves (13-0-2, 9-0-2 5A SIC) avoided any last-minute dramatics and clinched the top seed at the district tournament, which they will open on Saturday.
“It should set us up nicely, although we told the boys there are not going to be any easy games from here on out,” first-year Timberline coach Adrian Kane said after posing with the team for pictures.
“Every game is going to be a grind in the playoffs. We know that we’re going to be targeted, that we’ve got a mark on our backs.”
Sophomore Jeremiah Moreno provided the conference title-winning goal in the 29th minute. He settled a 40-yard diagonal cross from right back Drew Christie with a touch of his right thigh, and then blasted a right-footed shot past Boise (9-2-4, 7-1-3) goalkeeper Arthur Langlet.
“It was a pretty good cross,” Moreno said. “I was actually surprised that it was able to get that far. It was the perfect height, the perfect speed. Just perfect.”
It marked the second time Moreno found himself open on the far post. Referees waved off his header and celebration in the eighth minute with an offside call. But no one came to rescue the Boise defense in the 29th minute.
“He’s a phenomenal player,” Kane said. “He’s young, but he’s incredibly difficult to defend. He’s got a lot of energy. He’s very technical on the ball. And he’s been great for us all season.”
The lone goal was more than enough for Timberline. The Wolves have allowed just 0.4 goals per game this season, the best mark in 5A, thanks to a pair of dominant center backs in Luke Pepin and Jake Anderson.
No team has scored more than one goal against the Wolves all year. And junior goalkeeper Ben Anderson made two key saves in the second half, including a diving stop on a 10-yard rocket from Daniel Hirai in the 55th minute, as Timberline posted its eighth shutout in 15 games.
TIMBERLINE TOP SEED AT DISTRICT
That stout defense will make Timberline a tough out at district or state. But the Wolves still need two more wins in a loaded district tournament just to qualify for state.
A new wrinkle this year de-emphasizes the district tournament championship. Teams must still qualify for state via their district tournament. But Idaho will seed the eight teams that qualify via MaxPreps computer rankings.
Games at district will not count toward those rankings. No. 2-ranked Timberline gave its resume a final boost with Monday’s win over No. 5 Boise, but a district title still remains a priority for the Wolves.
Monday’s win ensures Timberline the easiest path, on paper, to that district title. But sweeping conference, district and state titles remains a rare feat. Only four teams from the 5A SIC have done it since Idaho began sponsoring an official state tournament in 2000: Rocky Mountain (2018), Timberline (2015) and Centennial (2005, 2004).
“We always have to be ready because any team could pop up,” Moreno said. “So we’ll have to stay focused and ready for sure.”
This story was originally published October 4, 2021 at 9:43 PM.
