Cd'A blanks Bulldogs, 1-0

SANDPOINT — Coeur d'Alene all-league goalkeeper Peter Wroe cast a large shadow on Viking boys soccer.

On Tuesday, Cd'A sophomore Tyler Olmstead came into his own, shutting out Sandpoint and leading the Vikings to a 1-nil victory and the Inland Empire League title.

"It was one of those games where you do everything right but you can't get anything in," said Sandpoint Coach Randy Thoreson. "We out-played 'em most of the game."

"Nobody shuts out Sandpoint in Sandpoint. Tyler had a great game with three huge saves in the second half to keep us in it," Coeur d'Alene coach Eric Louis said.

"There was a lot of nervous tension early and when we scored, it was a huge momentum swing. But Sandpoint came right back and that's where Tyler stepped up big."

The Bulldog defense didn't quite clear a ball in the Sandpoint end and K.C. Kirk was able to send it into the box in the 48th minute.

Justin Honsaker one-touched a rocket from eight yards out that hit the cross bar with such force it still had the momentum to cross the goal line.

"No one was sure it actually crossed, but the linesman came across and said it went," Louis said.

The Bulldogs (7-3-1 IEL, 11-3-1) forced the issue turning the heat on the Viking sophomore in net.

Sandpoint pushed into the Cd'A box in the 53rd minute, from the mass of players, the shot went low and hard to the far post, Olmstead made a diving save, punching the ball wide.

He handled another blast from the top of the 18 to the right "V" and Olmstead jumped and plucked the ball out of mid-air.

The Bulldogs made a re-start in the 65th minute and Luke Schramm had a clean shot to the far post, but Olmstead, who ended with seven saves, made the stop.

Sandpoint keeper Seth Baker did not have a save.

"Sandpoint is so tough up here, but we decided to keep challenging them, rather than settle into a defensive stand in the second half," Louis said. "We wanted out of here with the win and it was a great match."

The win locks up the IEL title for the Vikings ( 10-0-1, 12-2-1), who finish the regular season with Moscow at home on Saturday.

The Bulldogs host Lewiston at Memorial Field on Thursday at 4 p.m.

Second half — Justin Honsaker (K.C. Kirk), 48:00.

Shots on goal - Cd'A 3, S 8.

Saves — Cd'A Tyler Olmstead 7, S Seth Baker 0.