Bulldog girls fall to Mead

SANDPOINT — Melinda Van Dyk scored her fourth goal of the season and Kendall Stratton added her third, but it wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs fell 5-2 to Mead, concluding a spate of four nonleague games against strong Greater Spokane League competition.

Van Dyk’s goal came on a nice run up the right side of the field, where she dribbled past three defenders before beating the goalie for her team’s first goal.

Bailey Scrimsher was busy in goal for the Bulldogs (2-6-2), registering 13 saves as the Panthers amassed 25 shots on goal. After the game, Bulldogs coach Julie Pitre told her team to put the three losses against the GSL schools in the rear-view mirror and move forward.

“I said it’s a clean slate, Idaho schools, here we go. We improved greatly by playing these great teams,” said Pitre, lauding the play of senior defender Jacque Cantrell in defeat. “She was marking tight on every ball, just a great defensive presence.”

The Bulldog girls also took their lumps last season against the bigger GSL schools, gaining valuable seasoning that ultimately paid off with a 4A state title.

Sandpoint hosts Post Falls on Thursday.

First half — 1, Mead, 1:25. 2, Mead, 19:15. 3, Spt, Melinda Van Dyk (Ellie Engel), 22:45.

Second half — 4, Mead, 47:45. 5, Mead, 52:00. 6, Kendall Stratton (free kick), 56:30. 7, Mead, 78:00.

Shots on goal — Mead 25, Spt 8.

Saves — Mead 5; Spt, Bailey Scrimsher 13.