Bulldog girls celebrate Senior Night with win

SANDPOINT — Only four players were honored on Senior Night Tuesday evening at festive War Memorial Field, but it’s quality, not quantity, as all four played key roles in the Bulldogs 2-1 win over Lake City in nonleague girls soccer action.

Alicia Mertz, Elli Kiselica, Savannah Engel and Jessica Dexter, who comprise the starting back four, celebrated Senior Night in style, with Mertz scoring the game’s first goal on a penalty kick and the others playing solid defense and displaying the leadership that has come to define them.

“Passionate,” said Bulldogs coach Adam Tajan when asked what word came to mind about his seniors. “As seniors they brought leadership to the squad and built some camaraderie after losing a lot of seniors (last year).”

Nicole Danner scored the equalizer off an assist from Kiana Aros in the 33rd minute for Lake City (5-3-5), whose coach Matt Ruchti felt his team needed a physical game heading into districts.

“That was a game we needed; we needed that emotion,” he said. “That’s what you get when you play under the lights up here in Sandpoint. Sandpoint is the most physical team in the league and I liked how my kids reacted to it.”

Freshman Meghan Pagano scored her team-leading sixth goal in the 65th minute, giving the Bulldogs (9-4-2) the decisive edge in a tightly-contested game.

“Total team effort,” said Tajan. “Everybody working for each other; real physical and vocal.”

Sandpoint hosts Coeur d’Alene on Thursday.

First half — 1, Spt, Alicia Mertz (penalty kick), 15:0. 2, LC, Nicole Danner (Kiana Aros), 33:00. Second half — 3, Spt, Meghan Pagano (Ellie Engel), 65:00.

Shots on goal — LC 6, Spt 10.

Saves — LC, Brianna Loper 8; Spt, Bryce Clark 5.