Marsh Valley finishes second, again, after losing 1-0 to Fruitland

BURLEY — Entering the 2025 season, Marsh Valley had never won a girls’ soccer state trophy. Now, two years later, the Eagles have back-to-back second-place finishes and runners-up trophies.

After losing to Sugar-Salem in the 2025 championship game, Marsh Valley celebrated as hard, if not harder, than the Diggers. And for good reason. The Eagles had done something they weren’t expected to do and had given the three-peat state champs all they could have asked for.

As the clock hit zero on Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Fruitland at Burley High School, Marsh Valley players’ reaction was entirely different. There were no cheers. And the tears were not of joy.

It was clear that the Eagles’ expectations had changed over the last 12 months. It was clear that second place had gone from an accomplishment to frustration.

“This year, they really, really knew that they could do it, and they wanted it really bad this year. So yeah, it was a hard loss,” head coach Jeff Smedley said of his team’s reaction after the game.

Marsh Valley earned its spot in the title game with a 3-2 semifinal victory over Sugar-Salem, its first win over the Diggers since 2021 — after going 0-11-1 in their last 12 meetings.

But after scoring three of more goals in seven consecutive games, the Eagles could not find the net Saturday — despite putting together numerous quality challenges.

Smedley said his team created several very good looks and took multiple shots that, on another day, would have gone in. But things just didn’t go their way Saturday.

For that, he added, along with all the great things the Eagles did throughout the season, his team should be very proud — despite the outcome not being what they wanted.

“The girls gave their all. They left it all on the field,” the coach said. “I’m proud of them — second in the state is an incredible accomplishment. I know they’re down right now, but I am more than thrilled with them, that they were able to do this again — two years in a row, second. We’ll just keep moving forward.”

Smedley said he was especially proud of Marsh Valley’s six seniors and equally heartbroken watching them leave the field after finishing such a solid season and spectacular careers on a 1-0 loss.

For the others, though, including leading scorer Isabelle Bastain, the focus shifts to 2027 and another run at the ultimate prize.

“We want a state championship,” Smedley said. “The girls wanted it bad this year. It didn’t happen, but they’ll be back next year to fight for another one.”