Bulldogs bludgeon Hawks for league win

SANDPOINT — It might have been far more gritty than it was pretty, but you take a league any way you can get it, as Sandpoint earned a 1-0 win over Lakeland in 4A Inland Empire League girls soccer on Thursday night at War Memorial Field.

Caroline Suppiger scored her third goal of the season on a low blast from 12 yards out in the 27th minute, and the Bulldogs’ defense pitched its second straight shutout, as the Bulldogs (3-6-2, 2-0-1 4A IEL) picked up an important win in the battle to host districts.

“We played with heart, and that’s excellent to see. Lakeland plays really hard, and we matched that,” said Bulldogs head coach Conor Baranski of the physical, often erratic game. “I’d rather we beat them with our brains, not our hearts.”

Corinne Ariss, Madi Schoening, Heidi Skinner and Rachel Meyer shut down the Hawks (4-6-1, 0-3 4A IEL) offense in the back third, and Paige Dumars stopped three shots to earn the shutout in goal.

Ariss, Skinner, Aislynn Robertson and Abey Thompson were honored before the game as part of senior night.

The Bulldogs will host Lewiston on Saturday.

First half — 1, Spt, Caroline Suppiger (Nan Kiebert), 27:00. Second half — None.

Shots on goal — LL, 5; Spt, 15.

Saves — LL, Morgan Bixenstein, 11; Spt, Paige Dumars, 4.