PREP SOCCER: Sandpoint boys, girls both win league matches over Post Falls

BOYS

SANDPOINT — Senior Luke Leavitt scored one goal in each half and Sandpoint defeated Post Falls 4-1 in a 5A Inland Empire League match held Monday at War Memorial Field.

After a slow start, the Bulldogs got on the board during the 18th minute when Leavitt was able to slip behind the Trojan defense while chasing a lead pass from junior Huxley Hall, easily scoring on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. During the 23rd minute, Post Falls goalkeeper Riley Johnson went to drop-kick a ball, that kick hit right off senior Conner McClure’s leg and went back into the goal — 2-0 Sandpoint. However, the Trojans were able to get on the board with five remaining in the half.

“From our perspective, we definitely came out flat and had a first half that was subpar,” head coach Dan Anderson said. “To Post Falls' credit, they came out physical, committed, and pressing us and our boys struggled with that.”

Early in the second half, Hall, who has assisted on three of the Bulldogs’ six goals this season, scored his first goal of the year after a nice lead pass from freshman Pax Longanecker. Sandpoint sealed the deal during the 58th minute when Leavitt broke free after a pass from junior Jack Treman and scored another one-on-one goal.

“We used halftime to make adjustments and came back out ready to go toe-to-toe with them and keep the ball more,” coach Anderson said. “Our attackers were finishing well and scored some good goals. Overall, we felt we played a sloppy game and can do much better — however, it’s game two of the season and that’s to be expected. It’s nice not to play your best and still win. We have a lot of things to work on, but a lot of time to work on them.” 

Sandpoint (1-0-1) will return to War Memorial Field on Tuesday, Sept. 3 for another 5A IEL match against Moscow.

1st half — 1, SPT, Luke Leavitt (Huxley Hall), 18’. 2, SPT, Conner McClure (unassisted), 23’. 3, PF, Brady Navarette (Ryan Miller), 35’. 2nd half — 4, SPT, Hall (Pax Longanecker), 47’. 5, SPT, Leavitt (Jack Treman), 58’.

Shots on goal: Sandpoint 8. Post Falls 7.

Saves: SPT — Gavan Miles 6. PF — Riley Johnson 4.

GIRLS: Mitchell lifts Sandpoint over Post Falls

POST FALLS — Sandpoint High junior Mackenzie Mitchell scored two goals and the Lady Bulldogs had 24 shots on goal in their 3-0 win over new 5A Inland Empire League foe Post Falls on Monday.

The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Trojans 10-0 last year, but this year, Post Falls goalkeeper, senior Ellie McGowan, returned for her senior season after taking a year off. She previously played for the Crossfire Premier SC in Seattle.

"She's a great goalkeeper, we're not going to score on her from outside the 18 and I think we felt like we could," coach Brinkmeier said. "I told the girls we really needed to pass around and put up quality shots."

Coach Brinkmeier said, like the boys, they got off to a slow start and that it wasn't until Mitchell, a defender, was put on the front line that Sandpoint was really able to become a scoring threat. Mitchell scored goals in both the first and second half, one of which was assisted by junior Ava Glahe. Off a pass from freshman Willow Betz, junior Hope Barnes was able to score the Lady Bulldogs' third goal midway through the second half.

Coach Brinkmeier said Sandpoint had two yellow cards and Post Falls had one, citing it was a rough battle.

"Post Falls is always positive, no matter if they're getting scored on or not and I commend that," coach Brinkmeier said. "A win is a win, especially in league. It's really important that we win all of our league games, so I'll take a 3-0 win and hopefully we can build on that come Moscow and Coeur d'Alene next week."

Sandpoint (1-0-1) will host Moscow on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Full box score was not available.