Hawks down Bulldogs to win league championship

RATHDRUM — Alex Opland scored off a corner kick in the 75th minute from 19 yards out to give Lakeland Hawks a 1-0 win over the Sandpoint Bulldogs on Thursday at Corbit Field to clinch its first 4A Inland Empire League championship in program history and automatic berth into the Region 1 tournament title game.

“The ball just popped out to his foot and he shot it and it went in,” Lakeland coach Andrew Craig said. “He was just in the right spot at the right time. Both teams came out and played really, really hard. It was a very physical game.”

Sandpoint and Moscow will play in a semifinal match at regionals, with that winner traveling to Lakeland for the title game.

“At the very beginning of the season, we asked what our goals were and the first one was to get back to state,” first-year Lakeland coach Andrew Craig said. “This year, to be able to play the one game, we’re really excited to have it at home. This is what we wanted to do.”

Cade Coffey had seven saves for Lakeland (7-6-1, 3-0 4A IEL), which travels to Lewiston on Tuesday.

Austin Keyes had six saves for Sandpoint (7-5-2, 1-2), which travels to Lewiston on Saturday.

First half — none. Second half — 1, LL, Alex Opland (unassisted), 75:00.

Shots on goal — Spt 7, LL 7.

Saves — Spt, Austin Keyes 6; LL, Cade Coffey 7.