Bulldogs lose two heartbreakers in Missoula

MISSOULA – Sandpoint boys lacrosse lost two conference matchups against Ammon and Idaho Falls, 12-11 and 9-8, respectively, at Fort Missoula Regional Park on Saturday, April 15.

The team was ready for their annual cross-divisional tournament after defeating Mead in a thriller last Tuesday, but the Bulldogs happened to be on the wrong end of a couple of close games this time around.

In Game 1 versus Ammon, the Warriors broke the ice with a quick goal. However, the Bulldogs responded with four unanswered goals of their own, two from Maksym Page, and one each from Forest Ambridge and Gabe Linck. After one quarter, the Bulldogs led 4-2.

During the second, the Bulldogs added four more goals, two each from Linck and Owen Page. The boys continued to play tremendous defense. The Bulldogs found themselves leading 8-3 at halftime.

“Forest Ambridge was our most reliable face off man and the team did great on loose balls. We really made an emphasis on owning the ball in this one,” head coach T.R. Page said.

Ammon came out of halftime firing on all cylinders and the Warriors started chipping away at Sandpoint’s lead. Ammon made it a manageable 9-6 heading into the fourth.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs could not contain Ammon’s offense in the period and a couple of non-releasable double penalty calls allowed the Warriors to continue to build momentum. With the field advantage, the Warriors scored five goals. By the end of the fourth, the score was tied at 11.

The teams now faced sudden death with a four-minute overtime period where the first team to score wins the game. The Warriors ended up scoring the first goal and handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season, 12-11.

In Game 2, the Bulldogs played Idaho Falls in a competitive back-and-forth match. By the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs held the lead, 3-2.

The Eagles took control in the second, taking a 6-3 lead, but the Bulldogs fought back. Aidan Rork and Forest Ambridge scored one goal each with less than 30 seconds remaining until halftime, 6-5 Eagles.

The rest of the game was a defensive battle between both teams. Sawyer Treadaway led Sandpoint’s defense with multiple goal-saving stops. Ryan Doko ended up with 21 saves in the circle. Going into the fourth quarter, The Eagles led 8-7.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs could not rally and fell victim to another heartbreaking loss, 9-8.

“To be that close to these teams shows how well these guys are playing. Lots of good came out of this trip. It’s good to have some adversity heading into a tough matchup this week,” Page said.

The Bulldogs (6-2) will head to Coeur d’Alene to face arch-rival Lake City on Friday, April 21 at 5:30 p.m at Lake City High School.

GAME ONE

SANDPOINT 11, AMMON 12

GOALS: Sandpoint - Linck 4, M. Page 2, O. Page 2, O. Wimmer 2, Ambridge. AMN – N/A.

ASSISTS: Sandpoint – Linck, M. Page, O. Page, O. Wimmer. AMN – N/A.

GBALLS: Sandpoint – Ambridge, Joseph Aexel, Bauck, Kanning, G. McElroy, R. McElroy, M. Page, O. Page, Rork, Treadaway, O. Wimmer, W. Wimmer. AMN – N/A.

FACE-OFFS: Sandpoint – Ambridge 8, O. Wimmer 4, Joseph Aexel 3. AMN - N/A.

SV: SPT – Doko 6. AMN – N/A.

GAME TWO

SANDPOINT 8, IDAHO FALLS 9

GOALS: SPT – Linck 3, Kanning 2, O. Page, Rork, Waud. IDF – Combo 3, Peck 3, Little 2, Rolston.

ASSISTS: SPT – O. Page 2, Ambridge, Bauck, Kanning, M. Page. IDF – Peck 2, Rolston 2, Bell.

GBALLS: SPT – Ambridge 6, Treadaway 5, O. Page 3, Joseph Aexel 3, M. Page 3, Barrett 2, Kanning 2, Jacob Aexel, Balison, Bauck, Holt, Rork, O. Wimmer, W. Wimmer. IDF – Bell 6, Rolston 6, Little 4, M. Peck 4, Combo 3, Bingham 2, Niemann 2, Drain 2, Molino, Plank, K. Peck.

FACE-OFFS: SPT – Ambridge 8, O. Wimmer 5, Joseph Aexel. IDF - N/A.

SV: SPT – Doko 21. IDF – VanKampen 12.