3A: Frosh Hines shines as Cd'A Charter girls repeat

MIDDLETON — Openings were hard to come by for Sarah Hines on Saturday.

But the Coeur d’Alene Charter Academy freshman forward found one midway through the second half, and made the Shelley Russets pay.

Hines, double- and triple-teamed throughout the match, scored the game’s only goal in the 62nd minute, and Coeur d’Alene Charter won its second straight state 3A girls soccer title, and third in four years, 1-0 at Middleton High.

“It was full-out effort and determination,” second-year Charter coach Stacy Smith said. “In each of the last two games, at least two or three players were committed to her. At halftime (Saturday) we pushed a few other players up in midfield to alleviate some of the pressure on her.”

On the lone goal, Charter junior midfielder Elizabeth Lehosit sent a pass ahead for Hines, who raced down the left side of the field, cut back against a defender, temporarily lost the ball, got it back, then unleashed a shot from 16 yards out, trying to loft it over the keeper and inside the far post.

The keeper got a piece of the shot, but it still went in.

“At first I was sort of shocked that it went in,” said Hines, who has several years of experience playing club soccer for area teams. “It was more stressful and pretty frustrating (getting double- and triple-teamed), but coach said it was a compliment. I just kept running, and kept running.”

Smith praised the play of Lehosit in the midfield, and junior Emma Bartlett on the back line.

“It was a full team effort; Shelley was talented and very physical. It was tough,” Smith said. “Mercedes (Zepeda, junior goalkeeper) got challenged more than she has been all season, and she responded well to the challenge.”

Charter graduated eight senior starters from last year. Three freshmen started this year, and the other five new starters got minutes last year.

“Last year we had so many seniors that had played so many years together,” said Bartlett, who has played in three title games in three years. “This year we welcomed three freshmen, as as we grew through the practices and the season, it made the victory so much sweeter, because we all got there together.”

Coeur d’Alene Charter, which began its girls soccer program in 2012, has now made it to state five straight years. The Panthers were consolation champions in 2013, and has been in the state title game ever since.

“I knew we had some talent coming in, but you never know how that’s going to mesh,” Smith said. “If we understand we don’t do this as an individual, we do it as a team, then we can have this success.”

First half — none. Second half — 1, Charter, Sarah Hines (unassisted), 62:00.

Shots on goal — Charter 5, Shelley 7.

Saves — Charter, Mercedes Zepeda 4; Shelley, unknown, 6.