The last two seasons for the Sandpoint girls' soccer team have ended in heartbreaking fashion.

In 2020, Sandpoint fell to Moscow 2-0 in the Class 4A Region 1 championship game. That loss kept the Bulldogs out of the state tournament for the first time since 2012.

In 2021, the Bulldogs finished the regular season undefeated, but suffered the same fate, losing to Moscow in the district championship game, this time 1-0.

The Bulldogs are entering a unique situation where they’ve typically been the big dog in the 4A Inland Empire league, winning district and state titles. But, after losing to Moscow two years in a row in the championship game, it's given them time to reflect.

“The championship games weren’t much different; they just played with too much nerves,” Sandpoint girls' soccer coach Conor Baranski said. “We’re a new team now with new players and I’d like to see someone step up as a goal scorer. That remains a big question mark.”

Heading into 2022, Baranski is confident that his team will have an opportunity to flip the script on their recent misfortune.

“We have a deep club scene here in the area,” Baranski said. “Some of my players play for the strikers and some of them play in the Spokane or the Coeur d’ Alene area. Philosophically, I know I won’t dwell too much on it this season, and I don’t think they will either.”

Having such an enriched soccer scene in Sandpoint along with motivated kids has always been an extreme benefit to the high school program, according to Baranski.

“It makes my job during the season a lot easier,” Baranski said. “At the varsity level, almost all of them play fall soccer and spring soccer, with some playing in the summer as well.”

All the offseason preparation will benefit the Bulldogs in the fall with almost a brand new team set to take the field in 2022.

“We graduated 12 seniors last year and most of them were starters,” Baranski said. “This year, we have a handful of quality seniors on the roster with a mix of juniors and sophomores who will also contribute.”

The Bulldogs will lean on three of its returning starters, Kelsey Cessna, Kimbo Yarnell, and Aliya Strock.

Cessna didn’t see any playing time in 2021 following an ACL tear.

“She should have a successful senior season,” he said. “I think we missed her tremendously last year. We had to make do with a new center back pairing. We had (Kelsey) as a starter as a freshman and a sophomore. She would’ve brought a ton of experience for a new back line.”

Yarnell, a senior, will contribute to the Bulldogs midfield and was labeled a “premiere” part of the Bulldogs team.

“(Kimbo) Yarnell was a standout last year at midfield,” he said. “She plays at a faster pace than most of her peers. She’s quick-thinking, quick-footed, and a very solid midfielder. She makes the right decision and often knows where to be.”

Strock, a junior, will be a big contributor on the defensive end for Sandpoint.

The Bulldogs will come into next season with two standout goalkeepers, Liliana Brinkmeir and Kameryn Nadeja.

Brinkmeir is entering her sophomore year and has more of a technical approach inside of the goal.

Baranski praised her game and situational awareness and technicality, especially for an underclassman.

Brinkmeier has more of a fearless approach with grit and determination to be successful.

Despite the lack of experience, the process for the Bulldogs hasn’t changed much heading into the season.

“Every year is different, you have a lot of quality kids leave and a lot of quality kids come in,” Baranski said. “Sandpoint’s strength as a team has always been the willingness to work. I rarely question the program's work ethic. Other coaches compliment the player’s work ethic and that’s a constant for us.”