Bulldogs host Hawks in playoff opener today

SANDPOINT — As the weather gets cooler and the days shorter, the fall sports games tend to get more important, beginning today when the Sandpoint girls soccer team hosts Lakeland in the 4A Region 1 tournament opener at 3:30 p.m. at Centennial Field.

The winner of today’s loser-out game will then head to Moscow on Thursday, where the lone 4A North state soccer berth will be determined. Unlike basketball, volleyball and baseball, there is no double-elimination in the soccer tournament, and a loss ends the season.

The Bulldogs (5-6-5) beat Lakeland (4-10-2) twice this season by a combined score of 8-2 in games marked by their physicality. Moscow (5-7-2) went 2-0-2 in 4A North play to earn the right to host today’s winner the district final.

Meghan Pagano leads the Bulldogs with 10 goals and six assists on the season, Melinda Van Dyk has six goals and six assists, Nichole Pagano six goals and Ellie Engel five assists in an emerging attack. Bailey Scrimsher and Hannah Griesemer have combined to give the Bulldogs two quality options in goal.