Jacinta Johnson has hoisted up the Class 4A District V championship trophy numerous times.
But the feeling was just a little bit different this time around.
The Marsh Valley High School girls soccer coach clamed her sixth overall title in what is likely her final go-around with the program via a 2-0 win over American Falls Monday at American Falls High School.
“There were some emotions of just not even my career ending, but those senior girls,” said Johnson who told the Idaho State Journal that she is retiring from coaching at the end of this season to focus on her family. “There’s a group of eight of them and they’re just so amazing. They’re such great leaders and such great players. So I’m more emotional for those kids and seeing their journeys ending. But I know at state I’ll be an absolute mess. So it’s kind of nice to know that it doesn’t end here. We have a state tournament to go to and that’s where my head’s at.”
One of those seniors in Sophia Harris even had a goal in the win. The other was from sophomore sensation Paizley Crouch. Both of those goals occurred in the first half.
So the Eagles (15-4-1), behind the defense of senior center back Kamailee Singh and keeper Gracie Young, who made seven saves, rode their defense in the second half. It was their 11th time this season keeping an opponent off the scoreboard. They’ve only allowed three total goals over the last six games, with two of those being wins over the Beavers (16-2), who were the No. 1 seed at districts after claiming the regular season league title.
American Falls did so by beating Marsh Valley 3-2 back on Sept. 7. But the Eagles have gone 11-1-1 since. Their only loss came to reigning Class 4A state champion Sugar-Salem on Sept. 21.
“We’re a very different team from the beginning of the season,” Johnson said. “We’ve grown a lot. We’ve made some change. We even have players that we didn’t have.
“We just learned a lot and grew and we really just peaked at the right time, where the team just figured it out right when it counted.”
Marsh Valley has made a habit out of that for well over a decade now. Monday’s district championship is its 13th in the last 15th seasons.
It was a full-circle moment for Johnson, too. The Eagles started this run during her sophomore year in 2011. She won two as a player before rejoining the program first as an assistant in 2020.
When Johnson was made head coach the following season, Marsh Valley had won seven consecutive district titles. She continued that streak in her first year before it came to a painstaking end in 2022. But under her guidance, it has reclaimed its spot atop the district with now back-to-back district titles, going 13-1-1 in those seasons.
“The biggest thing is we are a family and we’re out there playing for each other, not just ourselves,” Johnson said. “And when you put that on them, it really empowers them to play to the best of their potential and have that camaraderie on and off the field, which builds that chemistry that they’re able to produce during a game.”
There’s just one thing missing now.
The Eagles are still searching for their first-ever state championship. It’s something they hope to rectify at next week’s Class 4A State Tournament in Post Falls. It will get underway next Thursday.
“We want that gold medal. We’re ready to take it all,” Johnson said. “I would love more than anything to just end on a district championship. But these girls just deserve so much more and they’re capable.
“Winning a state championship would be the best ending, but to just watch them play at their best, that would still make me a satisfied coach.”
SNAKE RIVER 2, MALAD 0
The Panthers (10-8-1) won their second game in a row with their backs against the wall in a Class 5A District V Tournament elimination game Monday at American Falls High School.
They will now host and No. 1 seed American Falls Wednesday in the second-place, winner-to-state play-in game.
Ellie Shupe and Darby Adams both found the back of the net for Snake River in the win.
Aubrey Shultz made 25 saves for the Dragons (7-9-1) whose season came to an end.
HIGHLAND 2, RIGBY 0
Devree Bell knocked in both goals, as the Rams (11-4-1) opened up their Class 6A District V-VI title defense with a shutout win Saturday at home.
Taryn Roth and Lexi Vawdrey had the assists for Highland, which will play the winner of Madison and Canyon Ridge Thursday for the district crown. It will be looking for a fifth straight championship.
AMERICAN FALLS 6, MALAD 2
The Beavers opened up the Class 4A District V Tournament with a one-sided win Saturday at home.
SNAKE RIVER 13, ABERDEEN 0
Ellie Shupe had the hat trick to go along with a pair of assists, as the Panthers staved off elimination Saturday with Class 4A District V Tournament win at American Falls High School.
Darby Adams, Reia Taylor, Ashley Morgan and Ashlynn Pierce all added two goals apiece for Snake River in the win.
The Tigers ended their season winless at 0-14. They've lost 40 consecutive games going back to the 2022 season. Their last victory was a 2-1 win over South Fremont on Sept. 7, 2022.
BOYS SOCCER
MARSH VALLEY 2, ABERDEEN 0
The Eagles (7-7-5) kept their season alive by posting their eighth shutout of the season Monday in a Class 4A District V elimination game at American Falls High School.
Chance Smedley had both goals for them in the win.
Marsh Valley will now play six-time reigning district champion American Falls Wednesday for the championships. But the Eagles will have to beat the Beavers twice in order for the crown and the spot to state.
The Tigers end their season 8-7-1.
ABERDEEN 2, SNAKE RIVER 0
Oscar Orduna scored a pair of goals in a Class 4A District V elimination game win Saturday at American Falls High School.
The Panthers ended their year winless at 0-18. They've lost 30 consecutive games dating back to last season.
AMERICAN FALLS 6, MARSH VALLEY 5, 2 OT
Oliver Rios netted the game-winning goal in double overtime, as the Beavers (12-5-1) advanced to the Class 4A District V championship game with a thrilling semifinal win Saturday at home.
Jordan Portillo recorded the hat trick, while Cristian Gonzalez and Eric Mendez had the other two goals in the win for American Falls, which will be looking for its seventh straight district championship Wednesday.
THUNDER RIDGE 2, HIGHLAND 0
The Rams (5-7-4) are now on the brink of elimination after getting shutout in the opening round of the Class 6A District V-VI Tournament Saturday at Thunder Ridge.
It's now been six games since their last win. They will play Rigby Tuesday with their season on the line.
VOLLEYBALL
SNAKE RIVER 3, PRESTON 2
Grace Gilbert, Avery Mathews and Aydyn Anderson all logged double-doubles, as the Panthers (11-8-1, 5-2 4A South East Idaho Conference) picked up a 25-20, 25-27, 24-26, 25-19, 15-9 come-from-behind win Saturday on the road in league play.
Gilbert had 16 kills and 15 digs, Mathews 17 assists and 11 digs and Anderson 14 assists and 16 digs in the win for Snake River. Libby Gilbert added 10 kills, Tallee Carter 28 digs and Emma Cook 14 digs.
BEAR LAKE 3, MARSH VALLEY 0
Brynlee Birch logged 10 kills and six kills, as the Bears (23-3, 6-0 4A South East Idaho Conference) racked up their 13th straight win with a 25-7, 25-16, 25-12 sweep Saturday on the road in league play.
Kortlyn Skinner added 11 kills and a pair of blocks, Saydee Shaul 10 digs and three digs and Emmie Sharp 38 assists and three aces.