Kuna moves on to play for state title
The Kuna girls soccer team celebrates after scoring in overtime to defeat Skyview 2-1 to move into the championship game against Sandpoint this morning at Syringa Middle School. Mike Vogt/IPT
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jwustrow@idahopress.com
Saturday, October 24th, 2009
CALDWELL — Jessica Higer admitted that after 80 minutes of soccer, she was exhausted.
But the Kuna junior had just enough energy left in her to lift her team to another win — its biggest win yet.
Higer's goal in overtime beat Skyview 2-1 and placed the Kavemen in today's 4A state championship game.
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Kuna won three elimination games just to get to the state tournament. Now, the Kavemen will play for their first state championship since the sport was sanctioned in 2000.
Kuna (17-4-2) faces Sandpoint (12-4-2) for the title at 11 a.m. today at Syringa Middle School in Caldwell.
"We tied Skyview the first time we played them, we lost the second time, and now we've won the third time," said Higer, who had both of Kuna's goals and three total in two tournament games. "I was glad to just get (the game) over with, because I have no more energy left."
It didn't take long in the overtime period for Savannah Desloover to find Higer breaking free of Skyview defenders, running toward the net. Higer received the ball with only goal keeper Caitlyn Johnson standing between her and the net.
For the second time in the game, Higer scored a breakaway goal.
Desloover, a sophomore, spent most of the season playing on Kuna's junior varsity squad, but was called up to the varsity level by coach Dena Walker for the state tournament. In the second game of the tournament, she came up with the game-winning assist.
"That's why we pulled her up," Walker said. "We knew she could make the plays."
Kuna found itself in an early hole after Skyview scored just 30 seconds into the game. Jenny Field crossed the ball from the right corner of the Kuna zone, and Lindy Avila received it in front of the net, beating Kuna goalkeeper Baylie Smith for the quick lead.
However, Kuna's defense collected itself and kept the Hawks off the scoreboard for the rest of the game.
"I was pretty nervous, especially because in districts they beat us 5-0," Smith said. "But I knew we could do it, especially after (Thursday's 2-1 win over Wood River) we were all pumped up."
Skyview, runners-up the 4A tournament each of the past two seasons, wasn't able to find too many more chances with the exception of a few blasts from 40 yards that went over the crossbar.
"Some of my girls decided to play more defensive, and that doesn't always work," Hawks coach Lawrence Nitu said.
Kuna tied it up in the 3rd minute of the second half when Higer made a move to break loose of two Skyview defenders. Just like her overtime goal, she was one-on-one with Johnson and she got it into the net.
All three of Higer's goals in the tournament came on one-on-one opportunities.
"I think she's one of our best forward," Smith said. "She's really fast, so she gets those a lot, and she's a really good shot."
Kuna will play in the state title game today for the first time in Walker's seven trips to the state tournament. Standing in the way is Sandpoint, a team which beat Hillcrest 6-1 in Friday's other semifinal.
"I think having it immediately is better, because then the girls don't have time to think about it." Walker said. "They still have the excitement and adrenaline running through, so they don't have time to get nervous."
Boys 4A tournament
Wood River 3, Skyview 2
Phillip Mangeac and Fredi Rojas each scored goals for Skyview, but it wasn't enough to avoid elimination against Wood River.
Skyview goalie Patrick Caffrey had five saves in the loss.
Skyview entered the state tournament on a 17-game winning streak.
Middleton falls in shootout
In an elimination game, Jaren Weber had 25 saves in net for the Middleton, but the Vikings fell to Jerome in a shootout.
