Obaitek, Pagano lead Bulldogs in comeback win

MOSCOW — The 4A Region 1 girls soccer championship on Thursday bore an eerie resemblance to the boys final a day earlier, except this one had a much happier ending for Sandpoint soccer fans.

McKinzi Obaitek and Meghan Pagano both had stellar games, helping the No. 2 Bulldogs erase an early 2-0 deficit to score a 3-2 win over No. 1 Moscow, earning the lone 4A North berth at the state soccer tournament next weekend.

Moscow (5-8-4) scored in the 13th and 22nd minute to build a 2-0 lead that would last to half time.

“Moscow came out harder than us. We got outplayed in the first half,” said Bulldogs head coach Julie Pitre. “Once again, we came out of half time understanding what we needed to do. The girls came out hungry with desire and wanted it more.”

One of the key adjustments was to man-mark the Bears’ top offensive threats, as Obaitek, Sydney Morris and Coral Edwards stepped up big defensively.

Obaitek got the Bulldogs (7-6-5) on the board first with a nice header off a corner kick from Melinda Van Dyk in the 44th minute. Pitre had high praise for her senior leader in the midfield.

“McKinzi was one of the biggest differences in the second half,” described Pitre. “Lots of confidence and perseverance — exactly what a senior captain really should do.”

Pagano would add the equalizer five minutes later, then slotted the game winner in the 77th minute for the go-ahead goal. Pagano now has a team-high 13 goals on the season.

“I’m proud of Meghan. She was double-teamed the entire game and stayed composed,” said Pitre of her high-scoring sophomore striker. “She got some great through balls from Ellie (Engel) and McKinzi and got behind the keeper both times.”

Bailey Scrimsher and Hannah Griesemer each played a half in goal, a formula that seems to be working well as the Bulldogs ran their unbeaten streak to eight games (five wins, three ties), scoring 24 goals in the process.

Sandpoint will open defense of its 4A state title on Thursday.

First half — 1, Mos, 13:00. 2, Mos, 22:00. Second half — 3, Spt, McKinzi Obaitek (Melinda Van Dyk), 44:15. 4, Spt, Meghan Pagano (Ellie Engel), 49:45. 5, Spt, M. Pagano (Obaitek), 77:30.

Shots on goal — Spt 15, Mos 11.

Saves — Spt, Bailey Scrimsher 4, Hannah Griesemer 4; Mos 11.