Sports

BUCHWALTER RIDES TO A WIN-Brody Buchwalter won the Pro Male division of the Montana Enduro Series: Rendezvous Enduro on Sept. 3 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The 2017 Wood River graduate finished in 33:00.5. He was in second place by 22.4 seconds heading into the final stage but finished 26.6 seconds ahead of his competitor on the 0.9-mile course. Sports EDITOR MIKE MATHISON: (208) 726-8060 sports@mtexpress.com

Load management benefi ts SVCS

Crist, Walther-Porino goals keep girls’ soccer squad undefeated

By MIKE MATHISON

Express Staff Writer

Load management turned into a victory.

With several starters earning a game off, goals by junior Ruby Crist and senior Reece Walther-Porino—one in each half—paced the San Valley Community School girls’ soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Gooding on Sept. 12 at the Dumke Family Sagewillow Campus.

“It adds pressure knowing a few of our best players aren’t there,” said Crist, who also had an assist, as did sophomore Attie Murray. “I think our team in general has really good chemistry and we get along really well, which I think is important to having a good mentality and being able to play well with each other.”

A handful of players were not in uniform as the Cutthroats raised their record to 7-0 overall and 6-0 in High Desert Conference play.

“We’re also trying to give these younger players an opportunity, those players who aren’t seeing a lot of game time to make sure they get better,” head coach Kelly Feldman said. “They don’t get better if we don’t play them. They get opportunities, and they learn and that’s the whole point. We need to bring those players along because they’re the future. If they never play, they never get better.”

The Cutthroats host Buhl today (6:15 p.m.), visit Kimberly on Sept. 16 (4:30 p.m.) and head to Phil Homer Field on Sept. 17 to take on Wood River (1 p.m.)

“We were lacking a little in intensity early, but we picked it up,” Feldman said. “It’s good to get them out there and see what they can do. We were talking a whole lot more on the sidelines than we usually do, trying to dial things in and getting everybody where they need to be.

“We had a bunch of young players out there who don’t have a lot of experience. It’s a great opportunity and great we can take advantage of some of these varsity games to let these guys play to start getting that education and that experience for the future.”

Crist’s goal came 25 minutes into the first half and Walther-Porino’s seven minutes into the second half. Walther-Porino was named Player of the Game.

“People on this team play soccer at a lot of different levels, but we all get along and we’re all there to encourage each other,” Crist said. “It pays off for us really well in the end.

“Teammates can encourage each other by patting each other on the back and saying it’s OK. But, also, as a player, if you make a mistake, I think all of us take constructive criticism pretty well. I think everyone is aware that no one’s getting mad at each other, blaming them for mistakes. Nobody takes it to heart.” Murray (three saves) and sophomore Taylor Hovey (four) shared the shutout in goals. “We’re all here to help each other,” Crist said.

The Cutthroats defeated Wendell, 3-0, on Sept. 10. An own goal accompanied goals by senior Maya Lightner and junior Mia Hansmeyer. Senior Anabel Viesturs had an assist. Murray was named Player of the Game after her first start in goal, earning a shutout.

Express photo by Roland Lane Sun Valley Community School junior Ruby Crist takes a shot during the second half of a 2-0 victory over Gooding on Sept. 12 at the Dumke Family Sagewillow Campus. Crist and senior Reece Walther-Porino scored the goals as the Cutthroats remain undefeated. ”We’re all here to help each other.” Ruby Crist SVCS Junior

Cutthroats rebound well

Community School boys’ soccer team blanks Gooding after first loss

By MIKE MATHISON

Express Staff Writer

Sometimes a loss can shake things up.

“I don’t even know how to explain it,” Sun Valley Community School senior goalkeeper Blake Currey said. “It was just eye-opening to everyone. We lost and we needed it. Truthfully. You never like it. We needed it. We came from that loss, and we didn’t have a practice or anything, but we all knew we needed to work 10 times harder to win, of course, but to achieve the goals we set.”

The Cutthroats defeated Gooding, 2-0, on Sept. 12 on Browning Field at the Dumke Family Sagewillow Campus. That came two days after a 3-2 loss at Wendell.

“That loss definitely put a chip on our shoulder,” senior defender Lachlan McFarland said. “We had a talk Saturday night. We have to work harder because we want to make this season successful.

“They’re good games, though. The close ones are the best ones. They’re the most competitive.”

Currey added, “We learned from that loss, 100 percent. We knew what needed to get done today and we did it. Losing Russ and Nils after that loss wasn’t easy.”

Russ Stumph and Nils Gallaway, co-captains along with Currey, were not on the field against Gooding due to sickness and injury.

“I had to communicate a lot more,” said Currey, who was named Man of the Match along with junior defender Sebastian Lerner. “Communication is key when there are different players back there. We all trust each other, it’s just different back there without Russ and Nils. We’re looking to get them back and healthy soon.

“Everyone on this team is good.”

The Cutthroats made it 1-0 five minutes into the second half when sophomore Zeppelin Pilaro scored off passes from junior Asher Maxwell and sophomore Easton Turck.

Gooding responded by hitting the post two minutes later.

“They definitely had some super fast, athletic kids,” McFarland said of the Senators. “We had tons of opportunities today.”

Junior Tom Mendoza scored with about seven minutes left on a play that was started in the defensive third with a steal by McFarland.

“It’s good to see the team winning again, sharing the love,” McFarland said.

The Cutthroats lost their first game of the season on Sept. 10. Pilaro and senior midfielder Auggie Rose scored the goals. Rose was named Man of the Match. The Community School is 6-1 and 5-1 in High Desert Conference action. The Cutthroats welcome Buhl today at 4:30 p.m., visit Kimberly at 6:15 p.m. on Sept. 16 and head to Phil Homer Field at 3 p.m. on Sept. 17 to take on rival Wood River.

Wendell leads the conference at 7-0. It is followed by the Cutthroats, Gooding (4-3), Bliss (4-3), Kimberly (3-3) and Buhl (3-4). Declo (1-6) and Filer (0-7) round out the standings.

Express photo by Roland Lane Sun Valley Community School senior midfielder Auggie Rose goes up for a header over a Gooding defender during the first half of a 2-0 victory over the Senators on Sept. 12 at Browning Field of the Dumke Family Sagewillow Campus. ”We lost and we needed it.”

Blake Currey SVCS Senior

FISHING REPORT

B Y B RET B ISHOP As we approach the autumnal equinox, it seems fitting that cool weather has finally arrived in the Wood River Valley. We even have some potential rain in the forecast over the coming week. With this change in the weather, we should see patches of brilliant gold and crimson along the hills and rivers. While these cooler air temperatures have triggered the leaves to turn, it will also signal the bugs of fall (baetis, mahoganies, and hecubas) to hatch. Be sure to get out over the next several weeks, as they can be some of the best of the season. SILVER CREEK: The Creek is slowly transitioning into a fall fishery, which means the tricos are mostly done. On the unseasonably warm days, you may still find a few tricos mixed with baetis. The baetis may be strong enough to get fish feeding intermittently on the surface and provide targets for the angler. On cloudy days, expect baetis in size 22 and 24 to be the dominant hatch. These hatches are generally strong enough in short bursts to get most all the fish involved on the surface. Of course, callibaetis (size 16 and 18) are still going to be a factor throughout the day in the pond and sloughs over the next few weeks. And finally, mahogany duns (size 16) and October caddis (size 12) should get rolling as we head into the second half of September. Remember, while fishing in the Preserve, you are required to sign in. This can be done via your phone with the QR code posted at all access points or by texting “Visitor” to 833-593-0682. BIG WOOD: The Wood is low, and the water is cool. As a result, there is no need to start fishing too early in the day. On any given day you will find a nice mix of bugs including small caddis, baetis, flying ants, crane flies, and red quills. When you find fish, they tend to be spread out in and around the deeper holding water, feeding voraciously. Approach with caution and observe the water before making your first cast and you are sure to find fish holding in a variety of water types. THE UPPER LOST: Focus your fishing on the main stem of the Upper Lost from the North Fork confluence on down. Expect there to be maybe a slew of smaller fish with one or two good fish per bucket. There might be a few whitefish as well. Like all our mountain rivers, fishing is best from the middle of the day into the late afternoon. THE LOST BELOW MACKAY: The flows are still holding at 200 cubic feet per second. The cooler weather has moved the bug activity to the late morning and through the middle of the day. Expect to see a few tricos and a plethora of baetis, especially on the cool, cloudy days. When the bugs are gone, be prepared to nymph. SALMON RIVER: Before traveling up state Highway 75 to Stanley be sure to check on road closures due to the Ross Fork Fire. If you decide to go, both the upper and lower Salmon are fishing well right now. With the lower flows, walk and wade fishing is a good way to approach the water; however, floating the lower reaches is still an option. SOUTH FORK OF THE BOISE: The flows are up a tad to just under 600 cubic feet per second but should drop even more very soon. Expect to see pinks, PMDs, baetis, and flavs in the afternoons. Also, craneflies will be seen skittering about along with a few caddis. If you find no bugs, you might try a hopper. Nymphing is also going to be productive especially for whitefish. LOCAL PONDS: Lake Creek Pond, Penny Lake, and Gaver’s Lagoon have been stocked and are a nice place for a family picnic.