Energetic ending
<p>STEVE CONNER PHOTOGRAPHY</p><p>Brooklyn Cunningham (22) of the Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy heads the ball to herself to set up the game-winning goal as Kate Rathfon of Community School defends in Saturday's state 3A girls soccer championship game at Sunway Soccer Complex in Twin Falls.</p>
TWIN FALLS — After spending all its energy to avenge last year’s setback in the state 3A girls championship match, the Coeur d’Alene Charter team had to find another 80 minutes to bring home a second title in the last three years.
They found it in someone that has been along for the ride the last three years — who scored both goals no less — to bring back that banner.
Coeur d’Alene senior midfielder Brooklyn Cunningham’s second goal broke a tie with six minutes remaining as the Panthers beat the Community School Cutthroat Trout — a private school from Sun Valley — 2-1 in the championship match Saturday at the Sunway Soccer Complex.
“The girls just had to find the energy they didn’t have,” first-year Coeur d’Alene Charter coach Stacy Smith said. “The girls were spent after the (semifinal) match against Weiser (a 2-1 overtime win). We had to dig deep. We’ve talked about always competing and found ourselves on top.”
Cunningham scored just before the half to tie the match for Coeur d’Alene Charter, which finishes 16-3-1.
“She just follows through in big moments,” said Smith of Cunningham. “We’re very confident with her at the front of the goal.”
Coeur d’Alene Charter — which started its program in 2012 when Smith was an assistant coach at Lake City High — beat Timberlake in the 2014 title game, the program’s first title. After a setback to Weiser in the title game in 2015, Charter claimed both the district and state title, something they hadn’t done in previous seasons.
“Before the season, we talked about what our goal was,” Smith said. “Everyone’s goal was to make it to the championship game. Throughout the season, we talked about those and as it went on, reestablish them. This group is persistent. They’re the hardest working group of kids I’ve coached.”
Rachel Callister had 11 saves for Coeur d’Alene Charter.
“It was definitely a team effort,” Cunningham said. “Our defense did a really great job. Rachel made some huge saves and really helped keep our energy up on those.”
Smith took over for Dave Baxter, who coached the first four seasons.
“She’s definitely got a different style, but is a huge reason why we were able to get the win,” said Cunningham of Smith. “She’s a great fit for this program.”
First half — 1, CS, unknown. 2, Charter, Brooklyn Cunningham (unassisted), 34:00. Second half — 3, Charter, Cunningham (unassisted), 74:00.
Shots on goal — CS 12, Charter 12.
Saves — CS, unknown; Charter, Rachel Callister 11.