STATE HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER TOURNAMENTS: A Charter championship ... Top-seeded Panthers shut out third-seeded McCall-Donnelly for program's first 4A title

MERIDIAN — Under construction for the past six years, the Coeur d’Alene Charter boys soccer program finished the job on Saturday night.

Sophomore Brooks Judd scored in the first half for the top-seeded Panthers, who made it hold up through two lightning delays in a 1-0 win over the third-seeded McCall-Donnelly Vandals in the state 4A championship match at Meridian High on Saturday.

It was the first state championship for the Charter boys, who debuted in 2019.

“We’ve built it on defense,” said fifth-year Coeur d’Alene Charter coach Craig Daigle, who coached the Panthers to a runner-up finish at state last year in Post Falls. “Coming in five years ago and taking over for coach (Justin) Nitti, we’re just continuing to build on what he started. We’ve told them that if you play solid defense, you’re going to go far. The first three or four years, the goals didn’t come very easily.”

Coeur d’Alene Charter (18-1-0) allowed two goals all season, none against 4A competition. McCall-Donnelly, bidding for its first title since 2004, finished 15-2-1.

“I just kept telling them we always want to get better each day,” Daigle said. “To give up two in a season, that’s an amazing feat. It’s just a great achievement. In 20 or 30 years, it’s something you’re still talking about. They just worked their tails off.”

The match was delayed midway through the first half for 48 minutes due to lightning in the area, then again for 38 minutes with 10 minutes remaining.

“There were a lot of emotional changes in that match,” Daigle said. “We’ve got a great group of senior leaders. They’re a great group of young men. We knew each time we came back from the break, we’d get everything thrown at us. But our seniors really kept them focused. That crew, all the credit goes to them.”

Senior goalkeeper Mattis Macmillian had seven saves for Coeur d’Alene Charter.

“It’s amazing,” Macmillan said. “We came into the season thinking we’d be strong, but spent the first few weeks of the season getting connected. We just started stacking games together. Every game meant the same and we played our hearts out the entire season.”

McCall-Donnelly had several attempts at the tying goal in the final 10 minutes, but were denied by Macmillan.

“It was pretty stressful back there,” Macmillan said. “Coming off the lightning delay, we were prepared to have a full 90 minutes through and through. Coming in, our leaders stuck it out and really helped us stay focused and shut them down.”

Macmillan’s older brother (Arjis) and senior defender Liam Hughes’ older brother (Owen) played on the inaugural team, which advanced to state.

“It means so much to us,” Macmillan said. “Those guys built this amazing culture. Our coach really taught us everything he knows. It feels good to bring some glory to the boys side of Charter soccer.”

In the 22nd minute, Judd scored on an assist from junior forward Elliot Engles, then received a yellow card for removing his jersey and throwing it following his goal.

“It was a lot of adrenaline and emotions,” Judd said. “I couldn’t really control my emotions at that moment. It was 100% worth it, and I was happy to have that moment with my teammates.”

Daigle and Judd spoke about the card during the first lightning break, which took place a couple minutes later.

“I told him in the break that I’m sorry I yelled at you,” Daigle said. “But as the old saying goes, ‘the best ability is availability.’ And I told him if he’s not available because of a second yellow, you’re not doing us any good. He can do a lot of good things with the ball, but he came out and did a great job in the second half.”

McCALL-DONNELLY — Goals: none. Assists: none. Saves: Diego Sbarini 2.

COEUR d’ALENE CHARTER — Goals: Brooks Judd 1. Assists: Elliot Engles 1. Saves: Mattis Macmillian 7.

• 5A BOYS

Twin Falls 2

Sandpoint 1

NAMPA — The third-seeded Bulldogs fell to the fourth-seeded Bruins in the state 5A third-place match at Columbia High.

Senior Huxley Hall scored for six-time Region 1 champion Sandpoint, which finished 14-5-2.

Twin Falls finished 14-7-1.

TWIN FALLS — Goals: Reese Nebeker 1, Max Serrano 1. Assists: Clive Muyingo 1. Saves: Jose Hernandez 9.

SANDPOINT — Goals: Huxley Hall 1. Assists: none. Saves: Landon Brinkmeier 4.

• 5A GIRLS

Skyline 3 

Sandpoint 0 

MIDDLETON — The eighth-seeded Bulldogs fell to the third-seeded Grizzlies of Idaho Falls in the state 5A consolation championship game at Middleton High. 

Sandpoint, which claimed its fourth straight regional championship to qualify for state, finished 7-10-1. 

Skyline finished 16-4-2. 

SANDPOINT — Goals: none. Assists: none. Saves: Izzy Stark 6. 

SKYLINE — Goals: Macy Marlow 1, Isley Dixon 1, own goal. Assists: none. Saves: Madison Merzlock 5.