Golden goal propels Bulldogs to win at state

SANDPOINT — Sure, it makes the stress meter for parents and coaches linger a little longer in the red, but at the end of the day, all’s well that ends well for the Sandpoint girls soccer team.

Meghan Pagano slipped a defender, then blasted a Golden Goal past the keeper in overtime to give the never-say-die Bulldog girls a 3-2 comeback win over Kuna in the opener of the 4A state girls soccer tournament Thursday afternoon at sun-soaked Post Falls High School.

For the second consecutive game, the Bulldogs (8-6-5) dug an early 2-0 deficit before rallying for a 3-2 win, having beaten Moscow the same way to earn the right to defend their 4A state title.

Whatever head coach Julie Pitre tells her team at halftime is working, as the Bulldogs’ M.O. these days has been to dominate the second half after digging an early hole?

“It’s never a good spot to be in, but I have comfort in the fact that I know my girls will battle for 80 minutes,” said Pitre, noting her squad adjusts quickly at half time. “The girls are good at taking feedback.”

Kuna (14-5-1) jumped out early when Jessica Higer dribbled in unmarked for a short look and slid the ball past the goalie for a 1-0 lead. The Kavemen struck again after a ball broke free in the box, before a crisp shot from 18 yards out made it 2-0, capitalizing on the few chances they created.

The Bulldogs generated offense all game, out-shooting the Kavemen 18-4 and dominating possession behind strong midfield play from seniors McKinzi Obaitek and Sydney Morris. They finally broke through at the end of the first half when Meghan Pagano was fouled hard in the goalie box, earning older sister Nichole a penalty kick, which she calmly slotted to make it 2-1 going into half.

Ellie Engel, who exploited an open midfield all game, scored the equalizer early in the second half, when a rebound came her way and she blasted the ball past the goalie. Engel later just missed a header on a cross by Nichole Pagano, and Emma Weme had a great close look, but regulation would end tied at 2-2.

After chasing for much of the second half, the Kavemen began to break down defensively in overtime. Six minutes into overtime Pagano made a slick move at the top of the box, before wheeling the other way and rippling the back of the net with a rare Golden Goal.

“One of those where I turned and just swung my leg, I didn’t aim at all. As forward, it’s my duty to get out there and win it for the team,” said a happy Meghan Pagano of her team-high 14th goal of the year. “We’re more of a second half team, that’s how we’ve been all season. We’ve always been the underdogs from Sandpoint, but we always come out on top.”

While the winning goal was huge, another play proved equally important, albeit much less noticed. With the game tied at 2-2, senior Melinda Van Dyk, who made many nice offensive runs from her forward position, dropped back defensively and saved a goal when she cleared a ball sitting free right in front of the Bulldogs’ net.

The Bulldogs will now turn their attention to Wood River (14-2-1), which handed Hillcrest (16-1-0) its first loss of the season, winning 3-2 in a game taking place right next to Sandpoint’s. Pitre, a first year coach, knows nothing about any of the programs her team is facing, which she sees as an advantage.

“That way we’re not playing to the other team, we’re playing our game,” said Pitre. “I have no knowledge of them (opponents), and it’s kind of refreshing.”

Sandpoint faces Wood River in the semifinal today, at 2 p.m. at Post Falls High School.

First half — 1, Kuna, Jessica Higer 11:00. 2, Kuna, 18:00. 3, Spt, Nichole Pagano (penalty kick), 35:00.

Second half — 4, Spt, Ellie Engel (unassisted), 43:00. Overtime — 5, Spt, Meghan Pagano (unassisted), 6:40.

Shots on goal — Kuna 4, Spt 18.

Saves — Kuna, Baylie Smith 14; Spt, Bailey Scrimsher 1, Hannah Griesemer 3.