Four Bulldogs receive All-IEL honors, French earns Coach of the Year
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Freshman defender Evan Dickinson was one of four Sandpoint boys soccer players to be named to the 2019 All-Inland Empire League team.
Four Sandpoint boys soccer players earned a spot on the All-Inland Empire League for the 2019 season as voted on by the league’s coaches.
Head coach Tanner French also was named Coach of the Year.
Senior defender Tiegen Edmundson, who one goal and one assist this season, finished his Bulldogs’ career with a spot on the team after helping lead Sandpoint’s back line.
“When coaches talk about hard work, Tiegen is the prime example of just that,” French wrote in a text. “Day in and day out, he came to training focused, prepared and willing to guide younger players through his play. I’ve coached Tiegen throughout 2019 in club and school ball, yet I wish I had more experiences with this young man as he was vital to the success of our season.”
Junior defender Chris Koch received honors after being named the Newcomer of the Year on last year’s All-League team. Koch finished the season with four goals and one assist.
“As I said in preseason, Chris is the maestro for our team and defined the term possession for our entire team,” French wrote. “He’s a 4.0 student and led as a true student athlete. I’m looking forward to having him next year and as we look toward capturing our eighth state title.”
Junior forward Zander Moore was named to the team for the second straight season after scoring three goals and tallying four assists. Moore struggled to find the back of the net all season and didn’t score a goal until the district semifinal match against Lakeland on 0ct. 15. But he made for that lack of production by setting up teammates.
“Zander had an interesting responsibility on our team this year, which was to command our back line or deliver goals up front,” French wrote. “His drought of scoring continued all season until the district tournament, which was fortunate for individual and team morale. His athleticism and leadership aided on many fronts.”
Freshman defender Evan Dickinson was a bright spot for the Bulldogs all season and French praised Dickinson’s effort after every game.
“Arguably our consistent player this season, Evan brings a level of knowledge that is often seen only in upperclassmen,” French wrote. “His awareness, distribution and love for the game garnered this award and he will be a staple in our back line for years to come.”
French earned Coach of the Year after leading the Bulldogs to an overall record of 7-8-1 and 4-2 mark in league play.
“I wasn’t expecting to get the nomination considering our record in the IEL, yet the other coaches believed it was beyond wins and losses,” French wrote. “With the help of my assistants Daniel Anderson and Anthony Fox, the league recognized the principles we are trying to instill in our program for years to come and valued those accomplishments.”
4A 2019 ALL-INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE TEAM
League MVP — Evan Odberg, Moscow, 11.
Newcomer of the Year — Amin Rezamand, Moscow, 11.
Coach of the Year — Tanner French, Sandpoint.
ALL-IEL team— Finn Benson, Moscow, 12. Caleb Brooks, Moscow, 12. Christopher Jacobs, Moscow, 12. Tobi Searey-Jorgensen, 12. Tiegen Edmundson, Sandpoint, 12. Evan Dickinson, 9. Chris Koch, Sandpoint, 11. Zander Moore, Sandpoint, 11. Gage Mattern, Lakeland, 12. Braden Munson, Lakeland, 10. Isaac Fritts, Lakeland, 9.