State soccer update: Local squads go 1-5 in Friday morning elimination games
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EASTERN IDAHO — The Thunder Ridge Titans have dominated the now-6A High Country Conference since Thunder Ridge High School opened its doors in 2018, winning the boys’ soccer district title in each of its nine seasons of existence. But that dominance has not translated into state success of late.
With a loss Friday morning, Thunder Ridge was once again eliminated from the Soccer State Championships, sent home without a trophy.
The Titans, though, were not alone in suffering defeat in Friday morning’s elimination rounds. The American Falls boys, Preston girls and both Highland boys and girls teams were also eliminated with losses in the wet, windy and cold Friday morning conditions.
The Century boys were the only local team to win Friday morning, advancing to play for the 5A boys consolation championship.
Nine local teams — three boys’ and six girls’ — are still to play Friday as the tournaments shift to semifinal rounds.
6A boys
The No. 7 Titans (13-7-1) lost 3-1 against No. 6 Eagle (10-7-4), meaning Thunder Ridge will be left trophy-less for the fourth consecutive season. They last came away with state hardware in 2022, when the Titans took third place.
Their conference rival, the Highland Rams, were in a much different boat, but came away in the same position. The No. 8 Rams (10-9-3) finished their first-ever trip to the state tournament 0-2 and without any hardware to show for their otherwise successful season.
Highland lost 3-2 to No. 5 Rocky Mountain (11-7-2), bringing its season to an end.
5A boys
No. 8 Century (10-6-5) bested No. 4 Jerome (13-34-2) 2-1, earning a spot in the 5A consolation championship. The Diamondbacks will face No. 7 Columbia (15-7-2) Saturday morning at Field of Dreams in Sandpoint.
4A boys
No. 8 American Falls (12-11) was topped by No. 5 Fruitland (12-5-2) 2-1. The Beavers have been eliminated.
6A girls
No. 8 Highland (12-7-1) could not repeat its performance from last year, when the Rams bounced back from an opening-round loss to win back-to-back games and claim a consolation championship. Highland lost 3-2 to No. 5 Coeur d’Alene (10-5-1) Friday morning at Bonneville High School.
4A girls
No. 8 Preston (13-7-2) was eliminated Friday morning at Twin Falls High School with a 4-0 loss at the hands of No. 5 McCall-Donnelly (15-3-1).
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