Girls soccer battles, falls to Lake City for second time

COEUR d'ALENE — Sandpoint girls soccer gave Lake City everything they could handle Tuesday night, but the Timberwolves scored two goals in the second half to secure a 2-1 win and claim the season series between the two teams.

The Bulldogs took down Lake City 2-1 in their season opener and fell to the Timberwolves 2-0 on Aug. 27 at War Memorial Field.

The Timberwolves found the back of the net in the 76th minute to grab the victory Tuesday.

Despite the loss, head coach Conor Baranski was impressed with the play of his team.

"The first half is easily the best half of soccer we've played all year," he said. "I'd be shocked if anyone felt any differently."

Baranski said his team was united in the first half and they were connecting passes with ease.

"Lake City was playing in a new formation and I was really impressed with my players ability to kind of solve the problems of a different formation," he said. "You could feel the team was super confident and positive."

Senior Kendall Rubright scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs in the 39th minute on a penalty kick.

Baranski felt the Timberwolves only had one solid chance to score in the opening 40 minutes.

In the second half, Lake City built some momentum with a goal in the 46th minute and the Bulldogs just couldn't respond.

"I think we made three or four defensive mistakes in the second half," Baranski said, "and Lake City capitalized on them, which is exactly what good teams do."

Senior Hattie Larson made 10 saves in net for the Bulldogs.

Sandpoint (5-5) visits Moscow at 4 p.m. Thursday. With a win, the Bulldogs would claim the 4A Inland Empire League title and host the district final next week.

First half — 1, Spt, Kendall Rubright (penalty kick), 39:00. Second half — 2, LC, Taytum Curtis (Kali McKellips), 46:00. 3, LC, Curtis (Kayla Dearmin), 76:00.

Shots on goal — Spt 3, LC 12.

Saves — Spt, Hattie Larson 10; LC, Hailey Jo Parks 3.