PREP ROUNDUP: Last-minute header lifts Sandpoint girls soccer over Moscow; Clark Fork volleyball falls to Bonners Ferry

Girls Soccer

Sandpoint 1, Moscow 0

SANDPOINT — On a corner kick during the 72nd minute, Aspen Little-Torrez headed in a beautiful cross by Ava Glahe to help Sandpoint girls soccer secure a 1-0 victory over Moscow at War Memorial Field on Wednesday.

In the first half, Sandpoint had trouble getting off a quality shot against the Bears. Moscow, statistically speaking, got the better of Sandpoint during the first 40 minutes. The Bears had three close chances, which were all saved by Sandpoint goalkeeper Lilliana Brinkmeier. Head Conor Baranski said her huge saves were crucial in Sandpoint’s victory.

Despite pressure from the Bears, Sandpoint continued to fight. In the 66th minute, Glahe made a great cross into the box but the Bulldogs couldn’t capitalize on it. However, just six minutes later, Glahe put another great ball into the box off a corner kick, which Aspen Little-Torrez was able to get her head on and score.

Moscow’s Lola Johns had a shot go off the crossbar during the 78th minute, as Sandpoint would escape with the 1-0 victory.

“As expected, Moscow was very tough to beat,” Baranski said. “We struggled at times to build out of the back, find space, and get chances. A huge credit to Aspen for getting her head on Ava’s corner. We needed a spark and she delivered. What a massive goal for a freshman to score.”

Sandpoint (3-1) will be back in action today on the road against Coeur d’Alene.

First half — None. Second half — 1, SPT, Little-Torrez (Glahe), 72’.

Shots — Sandpoint 5 (2), Moscow 3 (3)

Saves — Sandpoint, Lilianna Brinkmeier 3; Moscow, Makai Rauch 1.

Boys Soccer

Sandpoint 4, Moscow 0

MOSCOW — The Sandpoint boys soccer team led early and never looked back in the Bulldogs’ 4-0 victory over Moscow at Moscow High School on Wednesday.

During the 10th minute, Moscow committed an own goal, giving the Bulldogs the advantage. Luke Leavitt then scored an unassisted goal 15 minutes later to put the Bulldogs up 2-0. Before halftime, Sandpoint was able to tack on another score. Crosby Schmidt made a great pass to Caiden Gion, which he put in the back of the net with just three minutes to go in the first half.

In the second half, senior Eoin Eddy scored for the second straight game off a ball from Kai Longanecker during the 53rd minute. Eddy’s goal would be the last one in the Bulldogs’ 4-0 victory.

“The boys came out with some energy and delivered some dangerous balls into good areas during the first half,” head coach Tanner French said. “We were able to find some width in possession, but it was difficult on a narrow, crowded field.”

French said he is looking forward to Sandpoint’s first home game today against Coeur d’Alene.

First half — 1, Moscow OG, 10’. 2, Leavitt (unassisted), 25’. 3, Goin (Schmidt), 37’. Second half — 4, SPT, Eddy (K. Longanecker), 53’.

Shots — Sandpoint 12, Moscow 6

Saves — Sandpoint, Kai Longanecker 2; Moscow, 0.

Volleyball

Bonners Ferry 3, Clark Fork 0

CLARK FORK — The Clark Fork volleyball team suffered their first loss of the season to Bonners Ferry, 3-0, at Clark Fork High School on Wednesday.

In the first set, Bonners Ferry got out to a quick 9-4 lead. The Wampus Cats got back to within a point, but after another Bonners Ferry run, Clark Fork could not keep up. The Badgers would come away with a 25-16 set win.

The 3A Badgers got off to a similar start in the second set, leading 18-5 at one point. Clark Fork would go on a five-point run after some nice serves by Piper Scarlett, but ultimately would fall 25-14.

“Piper played a little bit of varsity ball last year, and as a sophomore this year, she has really stepped up for us and I was excited to see her serving well under pressure,” head coach Lyndsie Kiebert-Carey said.

In the third set, the Wampus Cats seemed to finally get into a rhythm. Mid-way through the set, Clark Fork led 17-14 but let up a six-point Badger run; the Badgers would run with that momentum and go on to win the set, 25-18, completing the sweep.

“Once you lose those first two sets, it’s do or die,” Kiebert-Carey said. “At that point I was just watching, seeing who was going to dig deep — everybody did, it was just too late. Bonners had some strong hitters and servers, so credit to them.”

Scarlett led the Wampus Cats with four aces on the night. Eloise Shelton had a team-high five digs and four kills. Lilly Reuter and Aurora Lane both contributed four assists each. On the defensive end, Amari Printz-Hay compiled three blocks for the Wampus Cats.

Clark Fork (2-1) will be back in action against Priest River at home on Friday. It will be the Spartans’ first game of the 2023 season.