Brinley Nelson helps lead Hillcrest to third straight conference title and state berth

IDAHO FALLS – The 5A High Country Conference was billed as one of the most competitive in the state, with four legit girls soccer teams likely to challenge for state tournament berths.

Entering this week, only one has clinched a state berth so far. That would be Hillcrest, which won its third consecutive district title on Saturday and had to get through the gauntlet, beating Idaho Falls 1-0 in the semis, and then taking down Skyline 3-1 in the championship match.

Hillcrest (18-0-1) is ranked No. 2 in 5A by MaxPreps, with Skyline (13-3-3) at No. 4. Pocatello (14-4-1) is sixth and Idaho Falls (10-8-1) is ninth.

The conference is loaded with goal scorers, but this week’s East Idaho Sports District 6 Athlete of the Week goes to Brinley Nelson of Hillcrest.

In a 13-1 win over Blackfoot to open the district tournament, Nelson had a goal and an assist.

She scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Idaho Falls, and then scored two first-half goals as the Knights beat Skyline 3-1 to win the district championship game.

Nelson, who has committed to play soccer and tennis at Idaho State, is among state leaders with 86 points and 31 goals.

Teammate Quincy Daw (86 points, 33 goals) has also been a force in the Knights’ run to the postseason.

The remainder of the conference’s state tournament teams will be determined later on Tuesday as Skyline and Pocatello play for the district’s second spot.