Bulldogs blank Moscow 5-0

SANDPOINT — There were myriad reasons as to why Sandpoint was determined not to lose to Moscow in 4A North League boys soccer action Tuesday night under the lights of War Memorial Field.

First, Moscow had won the last two meetings against Sandpoint 1-0, and select few teams in this state can boast of beating the Bulldogs three consecutive times.

Secondly, it was more than just a regular season game, it also had district seeding implications  as the two schools will meet again down the road.

Thirdly, it was Adam Crossingham's 17th birthday, and the junior celebrated it in style, scoring two goals to lead the Bulldogs to a 6-0 pasting of the Bears. He was even serenaded by the crowd with an impromptu rendition of happy birthday after the second goal.

"Ecstatic," said a happy Randy Thoreson of how he liked his team's play. "The whole team attitude was 'not in our house.'"

Tanner Williams added two goals for the Bulldogs (10-1, 5-1 IEL), Tanner French two slick assists and Mikka Nostdahl the final goal. Shawnn Carlson posted his seventh shutout on the year in goal, and Sandpoint has now outscored its opponents by a robust 40-3 margin.

Thoreson said Moscow will have something to think about for the next time the two schools meet and also had high praise for the play of Williams and Crossingham on the attack, calling it the latter's best game of his career. Even though the first half ended at just 1-0, Sandpoint was creating great looks time and time again.

Moscow (7-3, 4-2 IEL) coach Jared Vreeland said his team was beaten in every aspect of the game, and knew Sandpoint would come out with a chip on its shoulder.

"Because we had those last two on them they were fired up," he said of Sandpoint, noting his team will bring a lot more passion into the next meeting. "I told them to rest on success is to ensure failure in the future."

Sandpoint is at Post Falls on Thursday.

First half — 1, Spt, Adam Crossingham (Tanner French), 18:00. Second half — 2, Spt, Moscow own goal, 45:00. 3, Spt, Tanner Williams (Daniel Anderson), 51:00. 4, Spt, Williams (unassisted), 57:00. 5, Spt, Crossingham (penalty kick), 62:00. 6, Spt, Mikka Nostdahl (French), 77:00.

Shots on goal — Mos 3, Spt 23.

Saves — Mos, Stephen Gressard 9; Spt, Shawnn Carlson 1.

n Whalen leads Bulldogs over Bears

MOSCOW — Senior Sandy Whalen scored her second goal of the season, and freshmen Kendall Stratton and Elle Engel each scored a goal to lead Sandpoint to a 3-0 shutout over Moscow in 4A North girls soccer action in Moscow on Tuesday.

Brittany Clawson had two assists and Brittany Oakley another as the Bulldogs (7-3-1, 5-0-1 IEL) remained undefeated in league play this season.

"It took us a while to get going after a three hour bus ride," said Sandpoint head coach Adam Tajan. "In the second half we played with more intensity and passion and urgency. It was nice to see different people getting forward. Sandy beat two defenders and scored on a nice left-footed shot."

Kelsey Windju picked up her third shutout of the season in goal.

Sandpoint hosts Post Falls on Thursday.

First half — 1, Spt, Kendall Stratton (Brittany Oakley), 5:00. Second half — 2, Spt, Elle Engel (Brittany Clawson), 45:00. 3, Spt, Sandy Whalen (Clawson), 70:00.

Shots on goal — Spt 9, Mos 5.

Saves — Spt, Kelsey Windju 4.