PREP ROUNDUP: McCrum, Leaverton help Sandpoint girls soccer topple Lake City

GIRLS SOCCER

Sandpoint 3, Lake City 0

SANDPOINT — Senior Marlee McCrum scored two second-half goals and senior goalkeeper Lilliana Brinkmeier had 11 saves as the Lady Bulldogs took down the Lady Timberwolves 3-0 at War Memorial Field on Thursday.

Freshman Sam Leaverton, who Sandpoint High head coach Alan Brinkmeier said is really starting to come around, scored during the 11th minute, firing a shot that hit the top left post from 30 yards out and rattled in.

“When Sam gets that ball and she’s going at the defensive line, from 30 yards, and is able to hit it in the top like that — she has been coming in clutch. That's the second time she has done that.”

During the 69th minute, junior Ava Glahe took a corner kick for the Lady Bulldogs. Off the cross, freshman Willow Betz was able to get a shot off, which deflected off the Lake City goalkeeper, and McCrum was there to clean things up — per usual. With three minutes to go, the power duo of McCrum and junior Hope Barnes struck again. This time, McCrum scored off a great pass from Barnes inside the box.

“She has been clutch since last year’s state final,” coach Brinkmeier said of McCrum. “She knows when to come alive and put goals away.”

As for the overall gameplan, coach Brinkmeier said changing the back line to a “back three” with senior Maddie Mitchell as the No. 6 has been a good move.

“We’re playing against some of the best forwards around and aren’t giving anything up,” coach Brinkmeier said. “Defensively, we are a force to be reckoned with. The whole back five played great and can match up with any forwards the state gives us — I trust them one-on-one with anyone in the state.”

Sandpoint (4-1-1) will host Lewiston on Saturday.

First half — 1, SPT, Sam Leaverton (unassisted), 11’. Second half — 2, SPT, Marlee McCrum (unassisted). 3, SPT, Marlee McCrum (Hope Barnes), 77’.

Shots on goal: SPT — 8. LC — 11.

Saves: SPT — Lilliana Brinkmeier 11. LC — Savannah Spencer 5.

BOYS SOCCER

Lake City 5, Sandpoint 0

COEUR d’ALENE — Senior Gavan Miles had six saves for the Bulldogs, but the host Timberwolves managed to put five goals on the board and posted a shutout at the Irma Anderl Soccer Complex on Thursday.

Sandpoint High head coach Dan Anderson said the 5-0 score wasn't a good indication of how close the game actually was.

“It feels funny to say, but this is the best game we have played this season,” coach Anderson said. “We possessed better than any game we have had up to this point. Defensively, the boys worked their tails off, stayed committed to their tasks and really fought together as a team. The coaching staff is happy with our approach to the game, most notably, possession.”

Coach Anderson said the Bulldogs had trouble converting the final ball and finishing in front of the goal, noting how the team missed a handful of point-blank chances and a penalty kick. Anderson said that despite the missed opportunities, the midfield, which included Jack Treman, Jasey Treman, Lorenzo de Luca, and Pax Longanecker, played well. On defense, Gus Penrose and Caiden Gion were noted as having good days on the pitch.

“I thought the back line played really well and were unlucky to give up as many goals as they did," coach Anderson said. "We’re ready to move forward and will be ready for the next game."

Sandpoint (3-3-1) travels to Lewiston on Saturday.

First half — 1, LC, Benjamin Hannigan-Luther (unassisted), 10’. 2, 5, LC,  Reese Crawford (Grayson Kortus), 38’. Second half — 3, LC, Crawford (Jacob Molina), 48’. 4, LC, Crawford (Sawyer Anderson), 60’. 5, LC, Molina (Jonathan Kitsak), 65’.   

Shots on goal: SPT — 6, LC — 11. 

Saves: SPT — Gavan Miles 6. LC — Lukas Ruchti 6.

VOLLEYBALL

Lady Spartans win thriller over Lady Rams

Priest River 3, Riverside 2

CHATTAROY — In their second meeting of the season, junior middle hitter Aleigha Jensen had a team-high four aces and posted three blocks as the visiting Lady Spartans defeated the Lady Rams in five sets (25-15, 25-14, 22-25, 21-25, 15-7) on Thursday at Riverside High.

After winning the first two sets, Priest River dropped the next two, but battled back to take the fifth set by eight points. It was the first away game of the season for the Lady Spartans, which Priest River head coach Katlyn Ward said would be an adjustment. Coach Ward noted how her non-starters really stepped up and that she was proud of how all her girls played in the win.

Offensively, senior Desi Humphrey led Priest River with 10 kills while junior Jayda Storro dished out 22 assists. Defensively, junior Kenadie Kingery added three blocks and junior Toni Marinello notched 11 digs.

Priest River (5-1) travels to St. Maries on Tuesday.

Post Falls 3, Sandpoint 0

POST FALLS — At The Arena, junior Hazel Pierce had a team-high nine kills, but the visiting Lady Bulldogs fell in straight sets to the host Lady Trojans (16-25, 21-25, 15-25) on Thursday.

Sandpoint High head coach Piper Wahlin said the team struggled to find a good rhythm and energy, with hitting errors piling up in the third set. Despite that flaw, Wahlin said the Lady Bulldogs were able to stay more disciplined on their block and served aggressively throughout the match.

Junior Gretta Beck had a team-high 22 digs for Sandpoint (0-7), which travels to Lakeland on Sept. 19.

Genesis Prep vs. Clark Fork

CLARK FORK — No information was available before press.