RATHDRUM — Before the season started, Sandpoint senior Emi Lynch said she looked forward to playing the Lakeland Hawks because while the Hawks play aggressive, the Bulldogs play aggressive and smart.

So the Bulldogs smartly and aggressively laid waste to the Hawks, thrashing them 9-0 to kick off league play on Tuesday.

“I’m really excited for our players who scored their first goals,” Sandpoint head coach Conor Baranski said. “Some of them have been working really hard and that’s always a great feeling to have, so kudos to them. We didn’t play super well, but we didn’t play poorly either. We obviously like to measure ourselves against better competition.”

The Bulldogs took a 5-0 lead into halftime thanks to Emma Thielbahr and Kelsey Cessna’s first varsity goals. Alexa Zavala also scored her first varsity goal in the second half.

Sandpoint plays at Lewiston this Saturday at noon.

First half — 1, Shelby Mohler (Emi Lynch), 13:00. 2, Hannah Eddy (Kate McGregor), 20:00. 3, Kiley Webster (Hannah Eddy), 30:00. 4, Emma Thielbahr (Aspen Larson), 32:00. 5, Kelsey Cessna (Emi Lynch), 38:00. Second half — 6, Kiley Webster (unknown), 46:00. 7, Piper Frank (Emi Lynch), 60:00. 8, Alexa Zavala (unknown), 70:00. 9, Emma Thielbahr (unknown), 72:00,

Shots on goal: Sandpoint 25, Lakeland 0.

Saves: Sandpoint, Hattie Larson 0. Lakeland, Jacquilie Pluid, 8.