Walkington goal leads Bulldogs past Hawks

SANDPOINT — Riley Walkington’s 17th goal of the season in the 45th minute proved huge, as Sandpoint held off a game Lakeland squad for a 1-0 win on Thursday in 4A Inland Empire League girls soccer at Pine St. Field.

After a scoreless first half, Walkington volleyed a ball out of the air at the top of the box, executed a deft heel pass to herself and then blasted an off-foot goal low and just inside the post for the game-winning goal. The Eastern Washington commit would proceed to pepper the goal often in the second half, but the Bulldogs (7-3-1, 3-0 4A IEL) could not add to the lead despite creating plenty of chances.

“We tried to manufacture pressure in the first half,” said Bulldog head coach Conor Baranski, who played a handful of new varsity players. “I was impressed with how we responded after struggling in the first half.”

Alicia Edelblute was excellent between the pipes in defeat for the Hawks (1-8-1, 0-2-1 4A IEL), stopping 23 shots, including a few top notch saves that kept the game far closer than anyone on hand expected after the Bulldogs won the first meeting 8-0.

“We played our way. Played hard, passed, got into it physically on the 50/50s,” described Hawks head coach Mario Maddy. “I’m happy with how they played. They stuck their nose in there. You’ve got play (Sandpoint) for 80 minutes.”

Sandpoint is at Coeur d’Alene on Tuesday.

First half — None. Second half — 1, Spt, Riley Walkington (unassisted), 45:00.

Shots on goal — Spt 26, LL 3.

Saves — Spt, Hattie Larson 2, Shea Kilpatrick 1; LL, Alicia Edelblute, 23.