Bulldogs stunned as Hawks record landmark victory

RATHDRUM — For 10 years, Lakeland girls soccer coach Mario Maddy has taken his medicine against the Sandpoint Bulldogs. On Tuesday night, his team spooned out a little medicine of its own.

Kayla Steigemeier scored four goals as the Lakeland Hawks earned their first-ever win over the Bulldogs, 5-1 in at Corbit Field in the Inland Empire League opener for both teams.

"We've taken the monkey off our back," Maddy said. "Now, Sandpoint is beatable."

Lakeland's Natalie Nichols had a goals and two assists as the Hawks (1-0) showed they'll be a team to be reckoned with in 4A.

Sandpoint has won four out of the past five state titles.

"Personally, it was great to get this win," Maddy said, "but I'd rather get the big win at the end (of the season)."

Stiegemeier, a first-team IEL forward last season, scored three of her four goals in the first half and added an assist.

"This win tonight was not just Kayla going off and scoring four goals," Maddy said. "She finished the way she needed to finish … but she doesn't get those balls if the rest of the team doesn't step up behind her.

"It was a total team effort."

The Hawks play host to Post Falls on Thursday.

First half — 1, Kayla Steigemeier (Alysha Puckett) 4:00. 2, Steigemeier (Keeva Duffey) 8:00. 3, Spt, name unavailable, 20:00. 4, Natalie Nichols (Steigemeier) 32:00. 5, Steigemeier (Nichols) 38:00.

Second half — 6, Steigemeier (Nichols) 78:00.

Shots on goals — Lakeland 14, Sandpoint 10.

Saves — Spt, name unavailable 6; LL, Amanda North 8.