Kicking it up a notch

With beautiful weather, a freshly-cut new field and a picturesque location at the base of the Sutter Buttes, Saturday's Northern Section Division II girls soccer championship had a setting befitting a title game.

However, the outcome was a foregone conclusion, and from the moment the ball was put into play, it was apparent that this was a different kind of championship match.

Instead of a competition, the event became more of a coronation for a program and a tight-knit group of girls that proved once again that they are the class of the entire section.

As expected, Sutter High cruised to a 7-1 victory over an overmatched Rio Vista team, and in doing so wrapped up it's sixth-consecutive section crown. It was yet another dominant effort by the Huskies and a fitting end to a season where blowout victories were automatic.

The Huskies were too big, too fast and too talented for the Rams (13-6) and if it wasn't for 14 offside calls and several misses from point-blank range, the score would have been much more lopsided.

"They show up every day, work hard and follow their leaders," said Sutter coach Jeff Stanhope, who passed the credit to everyone but himself. "I couldn't ask for better captains. They pushed our team all year and deserve the credit."

With four freshman and three juniors in the starting lineup, seniors Jaymi Hill, Alisan Schmidt and Morgan Graham were the guiding force and inspiration for a team that finished the season 17-1-1 while outscoring the opposition — get this — 106 to 4.

The senior trio also knows how to go out in style.

Hill put the finishing touches on her stellar prep career by notching a hat trick, and in the process broke the school record for career goals. Fittingly enough, she ended her four-year varsity run with an even 100.

Meanwhile, Graham controlled the midfield and dished out three assists to three different teammates. The first went to midfielder Sarah Snyder for the game's first goal and after hooking up Schmidt for assist No. 2, she fed Hill for Sutter's final goal.

Not to be outdone was Schmidt, who did her part from the wing by notching a goal and an assist while winning every ball that came in her vicinity.

And after piling up an 80-3-2 record during their four-year run, the three posed for photos with the championship plaque — each of them holding up four fingers.

"It's sad. I've played with Morgan since I was 10 and Jaymi since I was 12," said Schmidt, who recalled the days when she looked up to the seniors the same way this year's freshman do to them. "We always had fun, but at the same time we were also very serious."

That seriousness was displayed in the Huskies' modest postgame celebration.

Dropped down to Division II after claiming the last two D-I crowns, the Huskies were all but assured the section title when the powers that be realigned the divisions at the start of the year.

Everyone knew it, even their opponents.

Before the match, Rio Vista's coach noted that any other year the Rams would have won the title. But even he knew they had no chance of winning this game and joked that they should "just mail Sutter the trophy and be done with it."

So as the Huskies walked off the field as champions again, there wasn't nearly as much hooting and hollering as in years past. Sutter had everything to lose but went unchallenged to another title, while the Rams were denied a championship that a year ago easily could have been theirs.

And unless there is another realignment, it could stay that way for a while.

Snyder, who scored two goals on Saturday, is only a junior. And returning with her will be standout keeper Samantha Foster, left back Lindsay Moore and midfielder Katelyn Olson.

Then there's the freshman.

Erika Linch was nearly unstoppable and ended the season with a team-best 34 goals. With her play up front and fellow freshman Madison Levine, Jackie Koch and Jayden Garcia patrolling the backline, the Huskies stay at the top most likely will continue.

"It's definitely bittersweet," said Hill, who finished with 29 goals and 24 assists in only 19 games this winter. "I'll definitely miss the girls. Everyone gets along well and it's not just the team, it's Sutter the town."