7 Bulldogs garner all-league honors, Angell named MVP

Fresh off a second-place finish at the 4A state tournament, the Bulldog boys soccer team was well represented on the 2021 all-league team released on Monday.

Nolan Angell was selected as the 4A Inland Empire League MVP, Henry Barnes received Newcomer of the Year and Evan Dickinson, Roman Jiles, Stirling Roget, Randy Lane and Keyan Strock were all named to the all-league team.

Angell was a leader in the midfield for the Bulldogs and the league coaches recognized that, head coach Tanner French said. He tallied two goals and five assists as Sandpoint’s engine.

“His work rate, passion and team-first mentality was unmatched this year,” French said. “I’m very happy to see him receive this award during his senior season as it was well deserved.”

As a freshman, Barnes made an immediate impact in the midfield this fall with three goals and two assists. His future is certainly bright, French said.

“With his relentless work ethic, Henry made a significant impact on the league during his first season in high school athletics,” he said.

For the third straight year, Dickinson earned a place on the all-league team. The junior centerback continued to be a menace defensively and even tallied a pair of goals on set pieces this fall.

“This was an easy decision for the other coaches in the league to make, but that doesn’t discount the work that Evan put in during the offseason after overcoming shoulder surgery,” French said. “His size and strength contributed to the team’s defensive presence in the league and his leadership proved to be vital in big games.”

At keeper, Jiles garnered all-league honors for the second consecutive season. The junior earned seven shutouts this year and French said when teams broke through the Bulldogs’ backline, Jiles was there to make a big save.

“Undoubtedly his strongest season on the varsity squad, Roman came up huge on multiple occasions for us this fall,” he said.

Roget was also a key piece in the Bulldogs’ intimidating defense. The junior was a physical presence in the backline.

“Aiding in our three-back system, Stirling was a dominant presence for us all year long,” French said. “Constantly shutting down attackers throughout the year, Stirling was undoubtedly a fundamental factor to this year’s chemistry in more than just 4A matches.”

Lane proved to be an offensive weapon all season long. He led the team in goals and assists with seven and six respectively. French said the junior finished runner-up in MVP voting.

“His creativity and elusiveness carried the team in multiple facets of league play,” he said.

Strock was a pleasant surprise for the Bulldogs this season. The senior stepped up when the team needed it most and buried five goals.

“Keyan was the first name mentioned honoring student-athletes for first-team nominations,” French said. “Our leading goal scorer for the majority of the season, Keyan played a crucial role as wingback for us.”

French was tabbed as Coach of the Year after leading the team to their first trophy at state since 2012 and a 10-5 record.

ALL-4A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE BOYS SOCCER

MVP — Nolan Angell, sr., Sandpoint.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR — Henry Barnes, fr., Sandpoint.

COACH OF THE YEAR — Tanner French, Sandpoint.

ALL-LEAGUE — Ashton Ukich, jr., Lakeland; Jacob Ukich, jr., Lakeland; Mohammad Saad, sr., Moscow; Devon Conway, sr., Moscow; Zachary Skinner, jr., Moscow; Evan Dickinson, jr., Sandpoint; Roman Jiles, jr., Sandpoint; Randy Lane, jr., Sandpoint; Lucas Ting, jr., Moscow; Keyan Strock, sr., Sandpoint; Stirling Roget, jr., Sandpoint.