Cruise control: Sandpoint boys soccer headed back to state

SANDPOINT — Different year, same result.

Top-seeded Sandpoint boys soccer took down Moscow 5-0 in the 4A Region 1 championship game on Thursday night for the second straight year to punch its ticket to state.

The Bulldogs scored three goals in the opening half and cruised from there, holding the Bears to just one shot in the entire match.

It was a dominant performance and the final result never seemed to be in doubt for the Bulldogs.

On Wednesday at practice, head coach Tanner French told his team two things would determine the outcome of Thursday's regional title game — persistence and patience. The team showcased both against the Bears.

"The first 20 minutes we were creating chances, then all the sudden it's three-nil at half," French said. "But I told them I wasn't satisfied until it was four-nil, so I'm glad they put in five."

Senior Canyon Nash scored the opening goal of the match in the 27th minute and assisted on a strike by Randy Lane just five minutes later. Nash hasn't gotten a chance to see the pitch much this season due to a nagging injury, but he took advantage of every minute he got Thursday.

That tally was Nash's first of the season and he was glad he could help send the Bulldogs back to the big dance this year.

"It feels indescribable," he said. "It's really amazing and it feels really good to be able to contribute in this game ... I'm really happy for me and my team."

The Bulldogs were the aggressor early and often in Thursday’s match. That approach resulted in plenty of chances and Sandpoint capitalized on them.

Nash had a stellar game on attack for Sandpoint and he said he felt dangerous each time he got the ball at his feet.

"I noticed when I was dropping into the midfield, every time I turned I could do whatever I wanted pretty much," he said. "I had a lot of free space."

Lane was also a constant threat for the Bulldogs. He tallied two goals and two assists.

French said Lane and Nash are both very creative players and they shined against Moscow. He said those first two goals from them were beautiful shots from long range.

"Those first two goals were ... pretty much unsavable," French said.

Aidan Smith scored in the 37th minute on a pass from Lane. The Bulldogs broke through for a pair of goals in the final five minutes of the match. Evan Darling headed the ball into the back of the net on a perfect corner kick from Lane, and Lane scored on a free kick from about 40 yards out.

Nash said this team means everything to him and raising that regional trophy was a special moment.

"I think we are just so tight-knitted together," he said. "We've grown up playing soccer together, we know each other so well and we know how each other play and how each other think, and I think that chemistry is so important for a team."

French said the fans in the stands at War Memorial Field made a difference and gave the boys an extra push.

"What a great atmosphere," he said. "I think that was probably the most fans I've seen at a high school soccer game in a long time."

Sandpoint (8-4) opens the 4A state tournament on Thursday, Oct. 21 at Brothers Fields in Caldwell. The Bulldogs, the third-ranked team in the state, won't know their first-round opponent until all the state-qualifying tournaments are completed.

The Bulldogs were hyped after their regional title victory, but it was evident they want more. After going 0-2 at state last year, SHS wants to make a deep postseason run.

"This is just the beginning," Nash said.

First half — 1, Sandpoint, Canyon Nash (unassisted), 27:00. 2, Sandpoint, Randy Lane (Nash), 32:00. 3, Sandpoint, Aidan Smith (Lane), 37:00. Second half — 4, Sandpoint, Evan Darling (Lane), 75:00. 5, Sandpoint, Lane (unassisted), 78:00.

Shots — Moscow 1, Sandpoint 22.

Saves — Moscow, Wyatt Thornycroft 5; Sandpoint, Roman Jiles 1.