Bulldog girls claim soccer win
MERIDIAN - Freshman Kendall Stratton moved forward from her defender position and immediately made her presence known in Sandpoint's attack, scoring two goals to lead the Bulldogs past Twin Falls 4-0 Friday in the consolation round of the 5A state soccer tournament at Meridian High School.
Stratton now has six goals on the season, second most on the team behind Bailey Hewitt, despite playing much of the year on defense. Senior Annie Vogel had three assists, giving her seven on the season, ably setting up some great looks for Sandpoint (14-4-4).
"She sent in some beautiful corner kicks and served up some really nice balls," said head coach Adam Tajan of Vogel, adding his team played much less nervously than in the opener. "We took the mindset of we need to come out and show the south we belong here and were much more ready to play."
In a nice sign for the future, freshman Nichole Pagano, who was moved up from JV for state, scored the first of three Sandpoint goals in a span of six minutes to break the game open in the second half. Senior Brittany Oakley added a header to round out the scoring for Sandpoint, which out-shot Twin Falls (12-6-3) eight to two. Kelsey Windju registered her seventh shutout of the season in goal.
The Bulldogs face Mountain View (14-3-3), the No. 2 seed from the south, for fourth place today at 9:30 a.m. at Meridian High School.
"We're hoping to make a statement against a Boise school," said Tajan.
First half - 1, Spt, Kendall Stratton (Brittany Clawson), 9:00. Second half - 2, Spt, Nichole Pagano (Annie Vogel), 51:00. 3, Spt, Brittany Oakley (Vogel), 54:00. 4, Spt, Stratton (Vogel), 57:00.
Shots on goal - Spt 8, TF 2.
Saves - Spt, Kelsey Windju 2.
n Badgers fall to American Falls
The defending 3A state champion Bonners Ferry boys team lost 2-1 to American Falls today in the semis of the 3A state tournament. They play Sugar Salem today for the third place trophy.
n Badger girls fall to Shelley
The Bonners Ferry girls team, which won in a shootout in the first round, fell 3-2 to Shelley in a shootout Friday at the 3A state tournament. They play Payette today for third place.
n Badger girls win district cross country; boys second to Timberlake
BONNERS FERRY - Bonners Ferry senior Molly McClintock led the girls cross country team to a first place finish at the 3A District 1-2 meet in Bonners Ferry on Friday.
McClintock came in second with a time of 22:50, behind Timberlake's Alex Turbin, who placed first with a time of 22:08. Timberlake took second at the meet with 29 points.
Brian Tucker of Timberlake High School led the Timberlake boys to a first place victory with a time of 17:38. Timberlake had a team total of 35 points.
Tucker was followed by teammate Ryan Sacksteder, who placed second with a time of 17:57.
The Badger boys team placed second at the meet with 48 points. Senior Dylan Sweeny placed third with a time of 18:16.
n Kootenai downs Clark Fork
HARRISON FLATS - Kolten Willms passed for three touchdowns and ran for another, and Jake Hall and Dakota Amy returned interceptions for touchdowns as unbeaten Kootenai (8-0, 7-0 NSL) blanked Clark Fork 46-0 in North Star League action.
Alex Benishek rushed nine times for 83 yards for the Wampus Cats (0-7, 0-7 NSL) and Stillman Berkley completed five of 15 for 39 yards.
Clark Fork is at Lakeside next Friday.
n Priest River smokes St. Maries
PRIEST RIVER— Senior running-back Brian Nelson rushed for 141-yards on 19 carries to lead the Spartans (5-3 3-2 IML) to a 41-8 win over St. Maries Friday night. Brian Fulp added a solid performance under center for Priest River, completing five of six passes for 65-yards and one touchdown. Fulp would add 69-yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground in the win.
"All our backs ran great and Fulp had his best game of the year as far as decision making," said Priest River Coach Jared Hughes. The lopsided victory lands Priest River the third seed in the Intermountain league and puts the team in a play-in game against the Tigers at Timberlake High School next Friday night.
SM - 8 0 0 0 - 8
PR - 12 16 7 6 - 41
SM - Josh Szilasi 53-yard fumble return (Jaden Guidry run)
PR - Zack Miller 2-yd run (Keith Carey kick failed)
PR - Brian Nelson 3-yd run (Nelson run failed)
PR - Chad Yount 34-yard interception return (Brian Nelson run)
PR - Brian Fulp 24-yard pass to Austin Sommers (Brian Nelson run)
PR - Brian Fulp 21-yard run (Keith Carey kick)
PR - Brian Fulp 27-yard run (Keith Carey kick failed)