Bulldogs soar past Moscow with second half surge
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE) Sandpoint senior midfielder Braedon Dressel looks to pass to a teammate in the first half of the game against Moscow on Tuesday.
SANDPOINT — During pregame warmups of Tuesday’s match against Moscow, all the players on the Sandpoint boys soccer team were talking about one thing — avoiding playing districts in Moscow.
The Bulldogs were able to move one step closer to accomplishing that goal by taking down their league rival 2-0 at Pine Street Field.
“I think as far as moving forward and reaching our full potential,” Sandpoint head coach Tanner French said, “it was a statement for them ... this win felt good.”
French told his players during his pregame speech that they needed to play with relentless effort if they wanted to come out on top and the Bulldogs delivered.
From the first kick, Sandpoint was on the attack and kept the ball in the Bears end. Moscow’s senior goalkeeper Finn Benson was forced to make a handful of saves as senior midfielder Sims Macdonald did everything he could to find the back of the net.
In the 11th minute, Macdonald created some separation from the Moscow defense and was able to get a clean look at the goal just inside the penalty box. Unfortunately, his shot sailed over the top of the crossbar.
French said his team’s offensive pressure early on wasn’t a surprise.
“That is typically how our games go but we can typically never find the back of the net,” he said.
As the first half went on, Moscow began to move the ball into Sandpoint’s defensive end more consistently, but were unable to generate any scoring chances that challenged freshman goalkeeper Roman Jiles.
At the half, the score was 0-0. French made it clear to his team during the break that all they had to do was find the back of the net.
“You get a goal on this team and they will be done,” French said to his team at halftime.
The Bulldogs took those words to heart and came out firing on all cylinders in the second half as they continued to test the Bears defense.
Sandpoint finally broke through in the 60th minute on a free kick when Sims Macdonald sent a ball inside the penalty box and found the head of junior defender Chris Koch who sent the ball to the back of the net.
French reiterated the importance of getting the first score after the match.
“Typically in the sport, one goal makes a massive difference,” he said. “Regardless of the time in a game, a goal is a goal and I think with this certain group this year one goal gives them ultra confidence and when they have that confidence they have extreme will. Its fantastic to see them happy.”
In the 69th minute, junior forward Zander Moore nearly added to the Bulldogs lead when the ball found him just outside the 6-yard box but his shot rang off the left post.
However, about a minute later Sandpoint sealed the victory when Macdonald soared a ball from about midfield to senior midfielder Braedon Dressel, who chipped the ball over the outstretched left leg of the diving Moscow goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Moving forward, French said he wants his team to focus on improving on one thing in particular.
“Defensive organization, I’ll leave it at that,” he said.
Sandpoint (4-3-1, 2-0-0) takes on Lake City at 6 p.m. tonight at Memorial Field as they honor their six seniors on senior night.
Second half — 1, Sandpoint, Chris Koch (Sims Macdonald), 60:00. 2, Sandpoint, Braedon Dressel (Sims Macdonald), 70:00.
Shots on goal — Sandpoint 10, Moscow 4
Saves — Sandpoint, Roman Jiles 2, Moscow, Finn Benson 5.