Walkington nets third hat trick; Bulldogs sweep Bears

SANDPOINT — Another game, another hat trick for explosive scorer Riley Walkington, who slotted another three goals to help lead the Bulldogs to a decisive 4-0 blanking of the Bears in 4A Inland Empire League girls soccer on Tuesday at Pine St. Field.

Walkington finished a pretty cross from Yeo Yarnell in the fifth minute, and Piper Frank picked up her first goal of the year a minute later on another nice cross from Kayla Inman, giving the Bulldogs (6-1, 2-0 4A IEL) a 2-0 lead early in the game.

Walkington scored her second goal by punching in a rebound, and her third was arguably the prettiest goal yet this season, as she cut in from the back side and volleyed a stinging pass from Kiley Burnett out of the air for the final goal of the game. Walkington now has 14 goals in seven games, as she continues to shred defenses.

Sandpoint head coach Conor Baranski has been emphasizing crosses in practice, and they were working to perfection against a solid Bears squad that lost to Lake City by one goal just like the Bulldogs.

“For us to get four goals, and three off crosses, that felt really good,” said Baranski, whose team kept its fourth clean sheet of the season. “Our defense is solid. It’s great to have Shea (Kilpatrick) back in goal. I’m excited about the potential for this season.”

Sandpoint hosts traditional Greater Spokane League girls soccer favorite Central Valley today in what figures to be their toughest nonleague test of the season. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. at Pine St. Field.

First half — 1, Spt, Riley Walkington (Yeo Yarnell), 5:00. 2, Spt, Piper Frank (Kayla Inman), 6:00. 3, Spt, Walkington (unassisted), 19:00. Second half — 4, Spt, Walkington (Kiley Burnett), 60:00.

Shots on goal — Spt 15, Mos 1.

Saves — Spt, Shea Kilpatrick, 1, Hattie Larson, 0; Mos, Chloe Baker, 3.

n Bulldogs earn hard fought 2-1 win over Bears

MOSCOW — The Bears took an early 1-0 lead in the 12th minute, but the Bulldogs had an answer, as Chris Koch and Zander Moore each tallied goals to lead the Bulldogs to a 2-1 win in 4A Inland Empire League boys soccer Tuesday in Moscow.

The Bulldogs (4-3, 2-0 4A IEL) got the equalizer in the 15th minute when Dylan Baillie sent in a dangerous free kick, and Chris Koch finished for his fifth goal of the year.

“Chris seems to be on a tear lately, seems to be getting good opportunities,” described Bulldogs head coach Evan McNeley. “He found himself on the back post then slotted it home.”

The Bulldogs scored the eventual game winner late in the first half after Cole Baillie played a nice ball over the top to Zander Moore, who went one-on-one with the keeper to net the game winner. Julian Reichold notched two saves, as the Bulldogs out-shot the Bears 5-3 in a defensive slugfest.

“The second half was a great battle, hard fought,” said McNeley. “The boys kept their composure and finished the game strong.”

Sandpoint is at Lake City on Thursday.

n Bulldogs fall to Bengals (late)

LEWISTON — Zander Moore scored his third goal of the season on a free kick, but it wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs fell 3-1 to the Bengals on Saturday in Lewiston. “Dustin Reichold went down with the team,” said Bulldogs head coach Evan McNeley of his assistant coach. “The boys played well in the first half, but lost track of some markers.”