PREP SOCCER: Sandpoint boys, girls headed to 4A State Championship with wins over Moscow

Girls Soccer

SANDPOINT — It was a bittersweet ending for the Bulldogs on Thursday night. Sandpoint senior Hannah Harvey, who pushed through a nagging shoulder injury, scored during the 78th minute to help the Bulldogs secure a 1-0 victory to win the 4A IEL District Championship match held at War Memorial Field.

“It feels really good, especially because this is really the first full home game I have been able to play this season,” Harvey said. “Aliya (Strock) passed it over to me, I thought Moscow was going to get there first – maybe it was going to get to me, maybe not – the ball just hit my foot and I remember thinking ‘don’t miss.’”

It was only Harvey’s second goal of the season, but arguably the one that mattered most to Sandpoint.

“I want to shout out Alan (Brinkmeier) and Sidney (Waner) … they were able to help me get on the field today,” Harvey said. “I think running today was the most painful thing, but it was all worth it.”

Strock, who dribbled past a couple defenders and up the right side in order to put the ball exactly where it needed to be, was elated with the outcome.

“I thought it was such a good ball, and Hannah had such a good run,” Strock said. “I saw her – we were running – and I was just so happy with how I was able to place it.”

Fellow senior Mya Vorhies, was able to put her excitement into words post-victory Thursday.

“I'm so excited, I mean, our senior year and we're going to go to state again. That's just absolutely amazing,” Vorhies said. “It was really stressful in the beginning of the half because we didn’t have a goal yet, but as soon as Hannah locked it in, it was just like – defense, let’s go, we got this. I’m so proud of our team.”

Head coach Conor Baranski said he now feels relieved and ready for the state championship tournament.

“Moscow is a hard team to beat,” Baranski said. “They’re feisty, tenacious – I feel like relief is the right word … I try to take pressure off of them, but the girls know we define our success by at least getting to state. Today is just an affirmation of all the hard work these girls have put in. It all feels good.”

Sandpoint (8-5-3) will play their first state championship match in Caldwell on Thursday, Oct. 19, against an opponent yet to be determined.

Sandpoint 1, Moscow 0

1st half - None. 2nd half - 1, SPT, Hannah Harvey (Aliya Strock), 78'.

Shots on goal - Sandpoint 8. Moscow 3.

Saves - Sandpoint, Lilliana Brinkmeier 3. Moscow, Makai Rauch 7.

Boys Soccer

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint scored three first half-goals to defeat Moscow, 3-0 to take home their fourth straight 4A IEL District Championship on Thursday night at War Memorial Field.

During the 9th minute, Sandpoint was awarded a corner kick, and sophomore Logan McGrann made some magic happen. McGrann was able to sink the shot directly into the top right corner of the net off the corner kick to put the Bulldogs ahead 1-0. Later in the half, Luke Leavitt scored off a ball from Jett Longanecker. A minute after that, Eoin Eddy headed in his 10th goal of the season off a pass from Leavitt.

“It feels great,” Eddy said in reference to scoring a goal Thursday night. “I was really looking to score tonight and make sure we made it down to the state championship again this year. It’s been a great season. Coming into this year, we lost a lot of players and that was tough but our younger players have stepped up a lot to help us get here.”

Head coach Tanner French was happy with the win, but made sure to remind his team to mentally prepare for the skill level they will see at the state championship.

“I’m happy, especially for our players whose last game was a win on their home field – that’s important,” French said. “I think overall we were a bit lackluster in the second half. I’m preparing them for the reality of next week. A lot of these teams win four or five games to make it to the state championship … tonight was just another step that needed to be taken to help us reach our overall goal. I told the boys they need to mentally prepare themselves and they are very capable of that.”

Sandpoint (9-4) will play their first state championship match in Caldwell on Thursday, Oct. 19, against an opponent yet to be determined.

Sandpoint 3, Moscow 0

1st half - 1, SPT, Logan McGrann (unassisted), 9'. 2, SPT, Luke Leavitt (Jett Longanecker), 27'. 3, SPT, Eoin Eddy (Leavitt), 28'. 2nd half - None.

Shots on goal - Sandpoint 13, Moscow 1.

Saves - Sandpoint, Kai Longanecker 1. Moscow, Wyatt Thornycroft 10.