Bulldog girls claim 1-0 win

COEUR d’ALENE — Returning to the 4A ranks after two seasons at the 5A level, the Sandpoint girls soccer team showed it’s still the team to beat in the Inland Empire League, regardless of classification, downing Coeur d’Alene 1-0 in a league game Wednesday afternoon in Coeur d’Alene.

Nichole Pagano scored the lone goal in the 50th minute off a nice pass from Ellie Engel, giving the Bulldogs (1-0, 1-0 IEL) all of the support they would need in their season opener.

“Ellie chopped the ball back and Nichole was there to bring it down and finish it inside the near post,” described Bulldogs head coach Adam Tajan. “It was a heads-up play by Nichole, with good determination to get something on that ball.”

Sophomore Brice Clark made seven saves to post a shutout in her first varsity start. Tajan loved the energy his team played with and the aggressiveness on 50/50 balls.

“It was a good start to the season,” he said, noting Coeur d’Alene has nine seniors while his team has just four.

Sandpoint plays at Lakeland on Saturday, at 5 p.m.

First half — None. Second half — 1, Spt, Nichole Pagano (Ellie Engel), 50:00.

Shots on goal — Sandpoint 8, Coeur d’Alene 7.

Saves — Brice Clark, Spt, 7; Christine Woeller, Cd’A, 7.