PREP BOYS LACROSSE: Spokane Valley squeaks by Sandpoint in rematch

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint’s Blayne Kanning and Logan McGrann combined for five goals and five assists as the Bulldogs fell just short of Spokane Valley, 12-10, at War Memorial Field on Monday.

Tied 2-2 with roughly one minute remaining in the first quarter, Jacob Aexel scored a breakaway goal to put the Bulldogs in front. In the second, Sandpoint rallied to a 6-4 lead, their largest of the contest, after getting goals from Kostas Bauck, McGrann, and Austin Waud.

Early in the third, Sandpoint goalie Ryan Doko, who had 15 saves on the night, stopped a three-on-one fastbreak by the Runners. However, by the end of the quarter, the game was knotted 7-7.

Sandpoint got out to a 9-8 lead in the fourth after getting back-to-back goals from McGrann and Lucas Garrison, but Spokane Valley responded with a 4-1 run to close out the contest.

In addition to Kanning and McGrann’s stellar performances, Bauck also had two goals for the Bulldogs. Aexel racked up a season-high three assists. Wylie Wimmer led the team in groundballs with five, Garrison added four.

"This was a game full of intensity," head coach Ty Wilson said. "I thought we both put up a good fight. I was proud of our team for keeping their foot on the gas, especially in the first half. Now it's time to prepare for Lake City."

Sandpoint (1-4) will travel to Lake City on Thursday.

Spokane Valley 3 1 3 5 – 12

Sandpoint 3 3 1 3 – 10

GOALS: SPT – Kanning 3, McGrann 2, Bauck 2, Garrison 1, Waud 1, Aexel 1. SV – Hill 6, Harty 2, Cullings 2, Carter 1, Fletcher 1.

ASSISTS: SPT – Kanning 3, Aexel 3, McGrann 2. SV – Harty 3, Carter 1, Fletcher 1.

GROUNDBALLS: SPT – Wimmer 5, Garrison 4, Riddle 3, Kanning 3, Barrett 2, McElroy 2, Aexel 2, Treadaway 1, Bauck 1, McGrann 1, Waud 1, Buckhout 1, Sisk 1. SV – Brown 6, Yates 3, Carter 2, Cullings 2, Kottwitz 2, Harty 2, Hill 2, Maidhoff 2, Fletcher 2, Duer 1, Schulhauser 1.

SAVES: SPT – Doko 15. SV – Harlander 7, Cardon 4.