SHS scores 2 late goals to down Cd'A Charter in intense battle

SANDPOINT — Thursday's battle on the pitch at War Memorial Field looked like a state tournament game.

From the opening kick, there was a noticeable intensity that made it feel like much more than a regular season finale for both teams.

Sandpoint and Coeur d'Alene Charter, who both entered the match undefeated, went toe-to-toe for all 80 minutes, but a pair of goals from the Bulldogs in the final seven minutes propelled them to a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory.

4A Sandpoint and 3A Coeur d'Alene Charter are two of the best teams in the state in their respective classifications, so there was an expectation that Thursday's match would be one for the books — and it delivered.

In the 51st minute, the five-time defending 3A state champion Panthers scored the opening goal of the match when Rebekah Hines got behind the Sandpoint backline and buried a shot past freshman goalkeeper Lilliana Brinkmeier.

Suddenly, the Bulldogs were in a position they weren't used to. They were trailing for the first time since a match at Lakeland on Sept. 8.

However, Sandpoint seemed unfazed by the deficit as they immediately ramped up the pressure on the Coeur d'Alene Charter defense to avoid suffering their first loss of the season.

After 20 minutes of controlling possession, the Bulldogs finally broke through in the 73rd minute. Hannah Harvey fed a pass to Kailee McNamee in the penalty box. The junior booted a shot off her left foot back post to knot the game at 1-1.

"That was just clutch," assistant coach Alan Brinkmeier said about the goal.

Energized by the score, the Bulldogs continued to keep the Panthers on their heels in the closing minutes. It was clear they weren't going to be satisfied with a draw.

In the 78th minute, Kylie Williams made a move to slip past a Coeur d'Alene Charter defender and get a clean look at the left side of the Panthers' goal. She blasted a shot that rang off the bottom of the crossbar and came down in front of the net. Erin Eddy was there to pounce on the rebound and bury the game-winning goal.

The resolve the Bulldogs showcased in the closing moments of the match was incredible. They refused to give in and Alan Brinkmeier said the team's true character shined through.

He said the Bulldogs hadn't faced this level of adversity since their home opener against Lewiston on Aug. 28, where Sandpoint battled back from a pair of one goal deficits and scored in the 75th minute to win it 3-2.

In that match, the Bulldogs displayed the confidence that no lead is safe against them, and they doubled down on that belief against the Panthers.

"I think this is going to give us good momentum," Alan Brinkmeier said, "and also just proves to them that if we go to state and we give up a goal, it's not over until the last whistle, and I think we needed that."

This dream matchup was added to the schedule just about two weeks ago, and Coeur d'Alene Charter head coach Stacy Smith said her team enjoyed the challenge and the atmosphere.

Smith said the Panthers tried to frustrate Sandpoint in the second half with their strong defense, and they did, but the Bulldogs were determined to get the win.

"I think they were very intent on not losing on their home field," she said.

Both teams were looking for one final test before they attempt to make state title runs, and they definitely got that.

"I was hoping they were going to be this tough on us," Alan Brinkmeier said. "We weren't really sure how it was going to unfold, but we were both very hopeful that we were going to push each other."

The Panthers came out on the attack early and didn't back down from the Bulldogs.

"I think [we] were a little shocked at the very beginning because Coeur d'Alene Charter came out and high pressed and were physical," Alan Brinkmeier said.

Sandpoint played without Piper Frank, who is a maestro in the midfield and on attack for the Bulldogs. Alan Brinkmeier said Kimbo Yarnell, Ashlee Webster and Riley Medeiros all stepped up, but the team certainly missed Frank's presence.

"I think this was the first time that it looked like our midfield wasn't the dominant force out there," he said. "I think Coeur d'Alene Charter controlled the midfield ... [Frank] is definitely a game changer that we missed."

Alan Brinkmeier said Aliya Strock had a huge game on the backline for the Bulldogs.

Sandpoint outshot the Panthers 20-7 and Lilliana Brinkmeier made four saves in net.

The Bulldogs (12-0) will now wait to see who emerges victorious in the 4A Region 1 loser-out game between No. 2 seed Moscow and No. 3 seed Lakeland. SHS will host the regional championship game at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 14, at War Memorial Field.

Second half — 1, Cd'A Charter, Rebekah Hines (Ava Shivers), 51:00. 2, Sandpoint, Kailee McNamee (Hannah Harvey), 73:00. 3, Sandpoint, Erin Eddy (Kylie Williams), 78:00.

Shots — Cd'A Charter 7, Sandpoint 20.

Saves — Cd'A Charter, Danika Nowak 12; Sandpoint, Lilliana Brinkmeier 4.