Baillie, Hastings lead Bulldogs over Bears

SANDPOINT — Dylan Baillie and Noah Hastings each netted quality goals, and goalie Julian Reichold earned his fourth shutout of the season, leading Sandpoint to a solid 2-0 win over Moscow in the 4A Inland Empire League opener for both teams on Tuesday at Pine St. Field.

The Bulldogs (6-0-1, 1-0 4A IEL) hadn’t played a match in 13 days, and neither team was particularly sharp early, with Moscow creating a strong shot early that Reichold punched over the cross bar with a leaping save. Noah Hastings made a nice run up the middle, peppering the Moscow keeper before kicking the rebound off the post to miss an early scoring chance.

Dylan Baillie finally got the Bulldogs on the board in the 27th minute, when he came in hard on a corner kick and power-volleyed a ball off his chin for a 1-0 lead, which was all that was ultimately needed as Tanner Kohal anchored a strong defensive effort.

“We got the result, but I wasn’t happy with how we played,” said Bulldogs head coach Evan McNeley. “We lost our style a little bit in the second half, playing only one direction.”

Moscow was much stronger in the second half, controlling more possession, but the Bulldogs created the better scoring chances, earning a host of free kicks and corner kicks.

The Bulldogs’ second insurance goal came on a great touch pass from Mac Stultz, who chipped a ball from the side to the far post, where Noah Hastings dove and blasted a header into the back of the net for the final tally of the match.

“We improved on set pieces. We’ll continue to get better with creativity,” said McNeley, picking up his first league win. “It’s great to get the league win, but I want to keep moving forward, there’s more work ahead.”

Sandpoint is at Lake City on Thursday.

First half — 1, Spt, Dylan Baillie (Noah Hastings), 27:00. Second half — 2, Spt, Hastings (Mac Stultz), 72:00.

Shots on goal — Mos, 6; Spt, 11.

Saves — Spt, Julian Reichold, 6; Mos, 7.