For the week of November 6 - 12, 2002

2-1 wins give Hailey girls fourth

WRHS wins twice in frigid Pocatello

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Krista Burns has taken plenty of heat playing for the Wood River High School girls’ soccer program.

In fact, after the offensive midfielder scored both goals giving Wood River a 2-1 victory over American Falls in Saturday’s consolation championship of the 2002 3A state soccer tournament in Pocatello, she took a hard slap in the face.

Robin Kearns, Wood River’s leading scorer for three years, tries to find a grassy spot during the Thursday snowy game against South Fremont. Express photo by David N. Seelig

Burns was startled when the American Falls keeper slapped her in the face during the post-game handshake line. The slap was so obvious that the referee instantly red-carded the Beaver keeper—even though the incident took place after the game.

But four-year Wood River starter Burns, a physical player injured most of 2002 and unable to play in last year’s state meet due to a code of conduct violation, had the last laugh.

The Wolverine senior took passes from Monique Lloyd and Kate Elgee to score her two goals and lift Wood River to its second straight fourth-place trophy at the state soccer meet.

Wood River rallied for a pair of 2-1 triumphs over Marsh Valley and American Falls after its 1-0 opening-game loss to South Fremont.

"It feels real good. I’ve been hurt a lot this season and it’s nice to end like that," said Burns, who actually scored three of Wood River’s four goals at the 2002 state tournament.

Wood River coach Doug Stouffer said about his team’s comeback from an early 1-0 deficit, "The seniors got a victory in their last game and ended the season on a good note. That’s three state trophies in a row for us."

The outcome was bittersweet, however, because 2000 state champ Wood River (10-6-2) felt it should have beaten South Fremont (16-1-1) in Thursday’s opener played in the snow at Bannock Soccer Complex.

South Fremont, the eventual third-place winner 1-0 over Bonners Ferry, also beat Wood River 1-0 on a first-half goal by Tabi Quayle just seven minutes into Thursday’s soggy game played in frigid 22-degree weather.

The outcome put Wood River up against Marsh Valley (14-5-2) Friday. And just like their 2-1 victory over American Falls Saturday, the Wolverines needed to rally from a 1-0 deficit in order to beat the Eagles 2-1.

Leading scorer Robin Kearns had a couple of golden chances in the first—one on a header that hit the crossbar—but the Eagles struck first on a Audrey Vega goal at 23 minutes.

The equalizer, seven minutes into the second half, started when Kate Elgee made a nice pass from midfield up to Rebecca Schwartzenberger. She relayed it to Kearns in the goal area. Kearns avoided a defender, who tugged her arm and pulled her down.

Burns made no mistake on the penalty kick for Wood River’s first goal of the tournament. Kearns said, "That first goal got us going."

At 64 minutes, Monique Lloyd provided Kearns with a beautiful lead pass and Kearns broke in, slamming the eventual game-winning goal into the corner of the net.

Marsh Valley had one last chance. But keeper Kelly Haisley pounced on a Eagles shot that bounced back out after hitting the post. Haisley covered it as the ball came within two inches of rolling back over the goal line.

Season scoring:

·  Wood River (61 goals for/21 against)—Robin Kearns 16, Charlotte Gourlay 12, Krista Burns 7, Tami Harrison 4, Kaley Aaker 4, Erin Northrop 3, Katie Spaulding 3, Kate Elgee 2, Jessie Pieschl 2, Amie Thomas 1, Margii Driscoll 1, Sage Pressman 1, Kelly Haisley 1, Gina Thomas 1, Rebecca Schwartzenberger 1, Ireland King 1.

WOLVERINE NOTES—Robin Kearns, Wood River’s leading scorer three years in a row, finished with 59 career goals to rank second all-time to Kristi Toussaint (86)….In seven straight visits to state Wood River (132-28-11 all time) is 20-7 with two firsts, three thirds and two fourths….Coach Stouffer is 60-10-7 in his three years at the helm…The two victories at state kept alive Wood River’s streak of 10-win seasons.

 

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