Bulldog boys soccer locks up top seed to regionals
Senior Ethan Johnson passes during Tuesday's game against Lewiston at War Memorial Field.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
MOSCOW — Sandpoint boys soccer pulled out a 4-1 victory at Moscow on Thursday to earn the right to host the 4A Region 1 championship game on Oct. 13.
"It's obviously difficult to come down here, but the boys grinded out," head coach Tanner French said.
The win completed a regular season sweep of their 4A Inland Empire League rivals.
It was nice to get the victory, but French said it wasn't the Bulldogs best performance.
"I think we came out flat and quickly realized that even teams [like Moscow] can punish us when we're not mentally engaged," he said.
The Bears struck first in the third minute, but sophomore Pierce McDermott scored in the 30th minute and freshman Henry Barnes in the 32nd to give SHS a 2-1 halftime lead.
Junior Randy Lane found the back of the net in the 75th minute on an assist from senior Aidan Smith and a minute later senior Keyan Strock scored an unassisted goal to seal the win. Lane also assisted on both goals in the first half.
French said senior Nolan Angell was the man of the match.
"He put in an absolute shift," he said. "I'm pretty proud of him. His teammates recognized it and he really helped us defensively. What a performance to put a stamp on your last game in Moscow."
Sandpoint (6-3, 5-2 IEL) heads to Coeur d'Alene at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
First half — 1, Moscow, Caleb Skinner (unassisted), 3:00. 2, Sandpoint, Pierce McDermott (Randy Lane), 30:00. 3, Sandpoint, Henry Barnes (Lane), 32:00. Second half — 4, Sandpoint, Lane (Aidan Smith), 75:00. 5, Sandpoint, Keyan Strock (unassisted), 76:00.
Shots — Sandpoint 15, Moscow 4.
Saves — Sandpoint, Roman Jiles 1; Moscow, unknown 2.