Swerine header in final minute ties Cd'A

SANDPOINT — After 60 minutes of feeling each other out to start their respective seasons, Sandpoint and Coeur d' Alene combined for four goals in the final 20 minutes of a 2-2 tie Wednesday night at War Memorial Field.

Alex Crossingham punched in a loose ball in front of the net to give the Bulldogs (0-0-1) a 1-0 lead and start the scoring spree. Eight minutes later, Derek Davidson scored the equalizer, and then Jordan Correia put the Vikings (0-0-1) up 2-1 with six minutes left in the game.

The Vikings had the game in hand when Sandpoint got a corner kick in the 79th minute. Making the most of their final chance, sophomore Spencer Swerine skied high in the air and headed a corner kick past the diving goalie for the final score.

"It's a great rivalry. The kids get real nervy when we play Sandpoint," said Vikings' coach Eric Louis on the tentative nature of the first half. "In the second half we had a nice flow, with good touches and good passing."

For the Bulldogs, it was a chance to see who was going to step up and fill the void left by a strong departing senior class. Coach Randy Thoreson was pleased with the play of some young players getting their first varsity experience.

"Tanner French was outstanding; he played like a D-1 college player," said Thoreson. "He was taking balls out of the air and his distribution was dynamite."

While Thoreson was pleased with his know commodity — returning varsity players Crossingham, Drake Hanson and Gunnar Paulsen — he said it was a total mystery what the younger players can do until they get in a game like this.

"Talk about throwing someone into the fire," said Thoreson of sophomore goalie Shaunn Carlson, getting his first varsity start. "I thought he played fine. He's going to continue to get better."

Thoreson also praised the play of Alex Crossingham, who he said was flying all over the place and plays at a game pace second to none. After missing most of last year with an injury, Crossingham tallied a goal and an assist, wasting little time making his presence known.

Sandpoint hosts Bonners Ferry today at Travers Park at 3 p.m.

First half — none

Second half — 1, Spt, Alex Crossingham (unassisted), 60:00. 2, Cd'A, Derek Davidson (Blake Inlow), 68:00. 3, Cd'A, Jordan Correia (Justan Honsaker), 74:00. 4, Spt, Spencer Swerine (Crossingham), 79:00.

Shots on goal — Cd'A 6, Spt 7.

Saves — Cd'A, Tyler Olmsted, 3, Marc Hillbert 3; Spt, Shaunn Carlson 4.