PREP SOCCER: Highly-anticipated Sandpoint-Lake City girls match ends in draw

SANDPOINT — Senior goalkeeper Lilliana Brinkmeier had nine saves, including an impressive diving one, but Sandpoint settled for a 0-0 tie with Lake City High at War Memorial Field on Saturday.

31 seconds into the game, Sandpoint High junior Cecilia Dignan was called for a foul in the box which resulted in a penalty kick. The Timberwolves' kick went off the right post — it would likely be considered the closest any team got to scoring on the night.

“It wasn’t the way we wanted to start the game out, but Cecilia did just fine,” Sandpoint High head coach Alan Brinkmeier said. “I’m not 100 percent sure that was a P.K., but I would say the ball never lies. C(ecilia) did a great job moving on, getting that out of her head, and playing a great 80 minutes.”

In the 10th minute, Lake City was able to center a ball in the box, but Brinkmeier dove back to the center of the net from the left post and saved the Timberwolves’ header.

Neither team was able to gain an edge for the rest of the contest. Sandpoint had two shots, one in the 75th minute and one in the 78th minute that were just a foot wide of the left and right post. Overall, Sandpoint had nine shots, six of which were on goal. Lake City had 14 shots, nine of which were on goal.

“I was really proud of our second half; I really thought we overwhelmed them defensively,” Lake City High head coach Matt Ruchti said of Sandpoint. “We only gave up a couple of through balls and a random couple of shots, but I thought we really controlled the middle of the field. We had possession for about 70 percent of the game, but the final 30 minutes, the hardest part of the game, we had good moments but didn’t have the cleanest moments — that’s the difference. Sandpoint did a good job of settling in and cleaning up second opportunities after our missed first opportunities.” 

Coach Brinkmeier said he was content with Sandpoint's result, all things considered.

“I’m happy with the result since we defended probably 30 of the last 40 minutes and it took us until the last 10 minutes, when the crowd started getting behind us, to actually start going at their goal,” coach Brinkmeier said. “Our midfield needs to get possession more. If we can’t get possession, we can’t link up and play out. It felt like we were on our heels for the majority of that game.”

Coach Brinkmeier said the Lady Bulldogs’ back line played great, hence the 0-0 result, and that freshman Willow Betz really stepped up in the No. 6 spot.

Sandpoint (0-0-1) will travel to Post Falls on Monday.

1st half — None. 2nd half — None.

Shots on goal — Sandpoint 6. Lake City 9.

Saves — SPT, Lilliana Brinkmeier 9. LC, Isabel Morisette 6.