Bulldogs dominate Bonners Ferry in 4-0 win

SANDPOINT — Two games, two shutouts so far this season for Sandpoint as they blanked visiting Bonners Ferry 4-0 Tuesday in non-league boys soccer action at Centennial Field.

Sandpoint (2-0) dominated possession for most of the game, out-shooting the Baders 22-5. Tanner Williams, Ben Murray, Spencer Swerin and Mikka Nostdahl each scored as the Bulldogs created plenty of good looks from short range. Murray bent a left-footed shot in from about 20 yards out, and Nostdahl’s goal came after twin brother Anders had sliced his way through a host of Badger defenders before dropping off the nice assist.

Sandpoint head coach Randy Thoreson had high praise for the play of defender Anders Nostdahl and goalie Shawnn Carlson, who preserved a shutout with some aggressive and gutsy stops.

“Shawnn stopped three or four breakaways, came out and stuffed it before it started,” explained Thoreson. “Anders was just dynamite in the back.”

Despite a 10-0 scoring margin after the first two games, Sandpoint head coach Randy Thoreson believes his team needs to fix a few things, namely slowing down the attack from midfield.

“We didn’t play very sharp today. The midfield needs to work with shape,” he said, adding that it hasn’t cost them yet. “Teams will start to pack it in on us and we need to find some patience in the midfield.”

Bonners Ferry (0-2) was led by the play of goalie Mat Evans, who kept the game from getting out of hand with a number of diving stops. The Badgers lost 6-2 to Sandpoint’s chief 4A rival Moscow in their first game. Head coach Wayne Wilkerson was pleased with the play of his young team.

“They have heart and stay in the game against some good teams,” he said. “We got really good play from Mat Evans in just his second game.”

Sandpoint hosts Lakeland under the lights of War Memorial Field Saturday night at 7 p.m.

First half — 1, Spt, Tanner Williams (Adam Crossingham) 8:50. 2, Spt, Ben Murray (unassisted) 21:00. Second half — 3, Spt, Spencer Swerin (Williams) 51:00. 4, Spt, Mikka Nostdahl (Anders Nostdahl) 72:00.

Shots on goal — Spt 22, BF 5.

Saves — Spt, Shawnn Carlson 5; BF, Matt Evans 14.