District 6 Preview: Sugar-Salem looks to continue state title run while 5A competition just got tougher

EASTERN IDAHO – Can anyone beat Sugar-Salem?

That might be the biggest question as area girls soccer teams kick off the new season.

The Diggers have won three consecutive state titles and have won 37 straight games dating back to a 3-2 loss to Pocatello in Sept. of 2024.

No one is shy about the goal for a 4-peat.

“We understand we’re in the most difficult position there is,” coach Scott Terry said. “Not even just when you win one, but when you win three in a row … There’s only one thing you can do without being disappointed and that’s winning a state title. The pressure that puts on a coaching staff and players is a lot.”

The Diggers seem to thrive under that pressure. During the team’s current run, talented seniors have graduated and underclassmen have stepped into the white hot spotlight and delivered with minimal learning curve or having to battle through a roller-coaster-type season just to make the postseason.

“Being a Digger you know what the goal is and that’s to win the state championship, no matter what sport it is,” said senior Andee Petterson, a three-time first-team All-State selection. “We know what the expectation is and we know what it takes to get there. Working hard in practice and locking in every day.”

This year’s team is off to a 5-0 start despite having to replace two-time state Player of the Year Kamryn Tiechert, a job that Terry said would be filled by a combination of players, not just one.

“The girls still have that killer instinct,” Terry said of the team’s push for another blue trophy.

“We definitely want to go for a fourth, that would be awesome,” added junior Paige Birch, an All-State selection last season. “We did lose a solid group of seniors, but I feel like … all of our juniors and sophomores have really stepped up.”

The team only has two senior starters in Petterson and goalie Emery Green, who did not play last season, but the question remains.

Can anybody beat Sugar-Salem?

District 6 storylines to watch

-The 5A District 6 Conference was already competitive enough, with Hillcrest, Skyline, and Idaho Falls all fighting for the top of the standings. Now with Pocatello joining the conference, you can add another title contender.

The Thunder feature the state’s top offensive player in Aryanna Gonzalez, who’s already tallied 27 points.

In the latest 5A state coaches’ poll, Hillcrest and Skyline ranked second and third, respectively, and Pocatello and Idaho Falls received votes.

Last season Idaho Falls finished third in the standings, but did not make the state tournament. Hillcrest finished third in the state tournament after beating Pocatello in the third-fourth place match, and Skyline won the consolation trophy.

-The 6A High Country Conference is off to a rough start with the four teams combining for a 5-19-1 record overall.

No team is averaging more than two goals per game.

Players to watch

-Quincy Daw, Hillcrest: An All-State second-team pick last year and is among top players this year with 10 goals and 24 points.

-Brinley Nelson, Hillcrest: Returning first team All-State selection who’s also among state leaders with 23 points.

-Macy Marlow, Skyline: An All-State selection and one of the area’s top defenders who can also find the net while being among state leaders in assists.

-Kenlee Jarrell, Hillcrest: Another All-State returner for the Knights.
-Raine Jarvis, Hillcrest: And yet another All-State player who’s been a key part of the team’s success.

-Isley Dixon, Skyline: All-State second-team last year and already has eight goals and six assists through five games for the Grizzlies.