For the second consecutive year, the Skyview Hawks of Nampa knocked Wood River out of the opening round of the State 4A boys' soccer tournament, beating the Wolverines 6-1 in Boise on Thursday.
Skyview beat Wood River 3-1 last year en route to a fourth place finish in the state.
The Hawks played more physical and with more productivity than the Wolverines, which will face the Emmett Huskies in the opening round of the consolation bracket today at 12:15 p.m. in Boise. The Huskies lost to Burley 6-3 on Thursday.
Skyview came out on fire against Wood River, building a 5-0 lead in the first half and adding a sixth goal early in the second. With just five minutes remaining in the game, Wood River's Austin McCann prevented a shutout when he scored the Wolverine's only goal. Senior captain Spencer Cordovano assisted.
Joining Skyview and Burley in the semifinals of the winners bracket are Pocatello, which beat Bonneville 4-3 on Thursday, and defending 4A state champs Sandpoint, which nipped Nampa 4-2. Sandpoint has won four of the last five state titles.
The Wolverines clinched a trip to the state tournament for the ninth consecutive year with wins over Century and Hillcrest.
Skyview (13-1-3) is the Boise-area champion and was ranked third in the state heading into the tournament.
Nampa was ranked No.1, Burley No. 2, Sandpoint No. 4 and Kuna No. 5.
The state championship, third-place and consolation games are Saturday at 12:15 p.m. in west Boise.
