Pagano, Engel lead Bulldogs to blowout win
Nichole Pagano blasts a ball by a Lakeland defender for the first goal of the game on Tuesday.(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
SANDPOINT — Juniors Ellie Engel and Nichole Pagano each scored twice, and No. 2 Sandpoint generated plenty of offense to down No. 3 Lakeland 5-1 in the 4A Region 1 girls soccer tournament opener Tuesday at Centennial Field.
Meghan Pagano also added a goal, and Melinda Van Dyk had would be goal taken off the board because of an off-sides call, as the Bulldogs (6-6-5) created plenty of chances with a whopping 25 shots on goal.
“The girls have been consistently taking feedback at half and turning it around,” said Bulldogs head coach Julie Pitre, who felt her team played much better in the second half. “Ellie and Nichole were finishing the opportunities that we create.”
Pitre also liked the play of Sidney Morris, who dominated the midfield, and Emma Weme, who has proven to be a play maker from a host of different positions. Sweeper Kendall Stratton thwarted a handful of Hawks’ attacks from her sweeper position in the back third.
After the Pagano sisters staked Sandpoint to a 2-0 lead, Darby Murray got the Hawks (4-11-2) on the board in the 39th minute, to close the gap to 2-1 and breathing life into her team going into the half.
The Hawks then missed a great chance to equalize early in the second half on a scrum in front of the Bulldogs’ net, and Engel’s first goal shortly thereafter built a 3-1 commanding lead. Hawks freshman goalie Angelique Wetherelt had several great stops to keep the game from being even more one-sided.
“That non-goal would have made it 2-2, then it goes the other way and it’s a whole different ball game,” said Hawks head coach Mario Maddy of the turning point in the gameSandpoint turns its focus to No. 1 Moscow (5-7-4), which beat the Bulldogs 4-2 in the first meeting and tied 4-4 in the second. Staying composed and playing two-touch soccer were the two goals Pitre said her team must accomplish to beat the Bears and earn a state berth.
The Bulldogs travel south to face Moscow on Thursday, at 3:30 p.m. in the 4A Region 1 championship game.
First half — 1, Spt, Nichole Pagano (Ellie Engel), 20:28. 2, Spt, Meghan Pagano (Emma Weme), 28:29. 3, LL, Darby Murray (Alex Winslow), 39:00.
Second half — 4, Spt, Engel (unassisted), 48:04. 5, Spt, Nichole Pagano (Meghan Pagano), 54:07. 6, Engel, (Melinda Van Dyk), 76:00.
Shots on goal — LL 9, Spt 25.
Saves — LL, Angelique Wetherelt, 13; Spt, Bailey Scrimsher 2, Hannah Griesemer 2.
Sandpoint hosts Lakeland Thursday on Senior Night.