Now, that's using your head

TWIN FALLS — At a school known for its strength in knowledge more than its athletic prowess, leave it to a Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy player to use her head to get the job done.

The principal’s daughter, no less.

Mary Nicklay scored on a header off a corner kick from Katie Baxter in the 60th minute as the Panthers beat the Intermountain League rival Timberlake Tigers 1-0 on Saturday at the Sunway Soccer Complex to claim their first state 3A championship in the program’s third year.

“It’s huge,” Coeur d’Alene Charter coach Dave Baxter said. “I just can’t understate that. These kids have worked so hard to get to this point. We’re thrilled.”

The teams met twice during league play, with Coeur d’Alene Charter (winning 3-0 (Sept. 15 at Timberlake) and 4-0 at Community United Methodist Church Field in Coeur d’Alene on Sept. 30.

Timberlake won the third matchup of the season in the District 1-2 tournament championship game 1-0.

“It was almost difficult to think of it as a title game because we’d played them so many times,” said Baxter, a senior forward. “I’m really proud of both teams, because no team from our district had gone to state and done so well. For us to get first and them second, I think it’s good for our league and 3A soccer in the north.”

On the corner kick, players rushed to the ball, leaving Nicklay open for the game’s lone goal.

“I think everyone was so rushed to get up to the ball,” said Nicklay, a sophomore and daughter of school principal Dan Nicklay. “Katie hit a wonderful ball and it was easy to put in.”

Timberlake was awarded the sportsmanship award following the match.

“I’m proud of what the girls have accomplished this season,” said Timberlake coach Steve Michael, who started the Tigers’ program in 2008. “There’s no regrets and congratulations to the Charter program.”

It was Timberlake’s fourth trip to state in five years; the Tigers’ best finish was third in 2010.

“Several of the small things added up,” Michael said. “It wasn’t any one mistake, we just couldn’t finish on our shooting. Charter played well, and great defense.”

“As a rebuilding team after losing a lot of seniors two years ago, it’s incredible,” Timberlake senior goalkeeper Courtney Sutton said. “To go from not knowing where we’d end up heading into the district tournament to now, there’s no regrets walking off the field for us.”

It was the third time in four meetings the Panthers had shut out the Tigers this season.

“We’ve got a really great backline,” Charter junior goalkeeper Jackie Jensen said. “All four of our defensive players are awesome and were on it today. We played well as a team and moved up defensively when we needed to.”

“Our defense works really well together,” Charter sophomore defender Natalie Goetz said. “We were just able to communicate really well. We know each others’ strengths and weaknesses, and our team just works together as one unit.”

Coeur d’Alene Charter graduates three players — Baxter, Sarah Haman and Rachel Hines this year.

“It’s really surreal,” Katie Baxter said. “I’m so proud of this team and just blown away with all we’ve accomplished in those three years. It’s amazing.”

It is the school’s second team title in school history, joining the girls track and field team, which won the 1A title in 2008.

“We’re so excited,” Dave Baxter said. “The kids worked really hard. The academy, that’s what it’s all about, working hard. We’re excited to win it for them and everyone in the Charter family.”

First half — none. Second half — 1, Charter, Mary Nicklay (Katie Baxter), 58:33.

Shots on goal — TL 5, Charter 11.

Saves — TL, Courtney Sutton, 8; Charter, Jackie Jensen, 4.