PREP SOCCER: Sandpoint boys find a way to tie Lake City

COEUR d’ALENE — Trailing 2-0 with 13 minutes remaining, Sandpoint scored two late goals to notch a 2-2 tie with Lake City, who was undefeated in Inland Empire League play last year, in a match held Saturday afternoon at the Irma Anderl Soccer Complex.

“Lake City is one of the best teams in the state regardless of classification,” Sandpoint High head coach Dan Anderson said. “I was quite confident, because we had a good game plan going into it and I just really asked the boys to concentrate on that, win our one-on-one battles all over the field, and have confidence in ourselves and our teammates. They very much did that.”

During the 47th minute, the Timberwolves were able to establish a counter attack as Sandpoint was moving forward into the box. After making their way up midfield, Lake City’s Reese Crawford got a one-on-one against Sandpoint goalkeeper Gavan Miles, who had six saves on the day, and netted their first goal. During the 67th minute, Johnny Shotropa scored for the Timberwolves after Sandpoint’s defense wasn’t able to step in quick enough near the box.

“From the beginning, we asked them to not quit, no matter what happens in the game,” coach Anderson said. “It’s very easy to quit when going down 2-0 against a good team, but they did not do that, and it was incredible.”

A couple of minutes later, the Bulldogs finally got on the board during the 69th minute. At the center forward position, junior Huxley Hall got the ball and played a through ball to senior Luke Leavitt, who took a couple touches and scored in the bottom corner of the net after a one-on-one with Timberwolves goalkeeper Lukas Ruchti.

Due to a double yellow card, the Bulldogs were playing down a man during the last five minutes of the contest. Coach Anderson said he thought the call which initiated the double yellow was a bit unfortunate, but the team adjusted really well to the circumstances and got the result they needed.

During the 78th minute, after pushing hard for another goal, junior Jack Treman found the ball bouncing around the middle of the field and “unleashed an absolute rocket of a half volley” to the top left corner of the goal from 25 yards out.

“From our perspective, it was well deserved based on how well the team followed our gameplan, played their one-on-one’s, and believed in themselves and their teammates,” coach Anderson said. “I’m happy they were rewarded with a good away result against a quite good opponent.”

Coach Anderson said he wanted to shoutout the Bulldogs’ back line: Caiden Gion, Brennan Shaw, Isaac Schmit, Knox Williams, Gus Penrose, and Bridger Cudmore for their hard work. Anderson also mentioned that freshman Pax Longanecker matched up with one of the best players in the state and did very well with that assignment, keeping him off the board.

Overall, Sandpoint had five shots, just two of which were on goal. Lake City had 16 shots, seven of which were on goal. Hall assisted on both of the Bulldogs' goals.

Sandpoint (0-0-1) will host now 5A Inland Empire League foe, Post Falls, on Monday at War Memorial Field.

1st half — No goals. 2nd half — 1, LC, Reese Crawford (unassisted), 47’. 2, LC, Johnny Shotropa, 67’. 3, SPT, Luke Leavit (Huxley Hall), 69’. 4, SPT, Jack Treman (Hall), 78’.

Shots on goal — Sandpoint 2. Lake City 7.

Saves — SPT, Gavan Miles, 6. LC, Lukas Ruchti, 0.