MEAD — Sandpoint girls soccer was without three starters when they took on Mead on Monday night.

Despite being shorthanded, the Bulldogs put up a strong fight against a team that on paper is better than them. But ultimately Sandpoint fell 2-1.

“I was really proud today,” girls soccer head coach Conor Baranski said after the game. “Mead was organized and played fast paced and they were aggressive and physical, and we matched them every step of the way.”

Baranski said the effort his team gave really stuck out to him.

“I was just really impressed with our competitiveness today and that was my challenge for them, that was my hope,” he said.

The Bulldogs struck first in the game off a goal from junior forward Jordie Breeden in the 12th minute.

Fourteen minutes later, the Panthers answered with a goal of their own from Kylie Newman.

It looked like the game was going to be tied 1-1 at halftime but Mead struck with a minute left to take a 2-1 lead.

In general, I think Mead has very talented players and they capitalized on two of our weaker moments, two mistakes,” Baranski said. “That’s what happens when you play against good players.”

The second half was a back and forth affair as each team sought a game changing score.

The Bulldogs had a lot of momentum toward the end of the match and were trying so hard to find an equalizer that the Mead head coach was getting upset.

[Mead’s] coach was actually yelling at [his players] to manage the game,” Baranski said, “which is a common thing you’d say to your soccer team when they’re not closing the game out like they should, so we were pushing.”

Sandpoint wasn’t able to tie it up but Baranski was encouraged by how hard his team played and believes this will help them moving forward.

“We put those teams on the schedule because we know they are going to give us a really difficult, challenging game,” he said.

The Bulldogs (6-3, 2-0 IEL) take on Central Valley on the road 1 p.m. Saturday.

First half — 1, Sandpoint, Jordie Breeden (Emi Lynch), 12:00. 1, Mead, Kylie Newman, 26:00. 2, Mead, Margo Schoesler, 39:00.

Shots on goal — Sandpoint 11, Mead 8

Saves — Sandpoint, Hattie Larson 2, Mead, Mercedes Cullen 9.