Bulldogs taking on Moscow for district titles

SANDPOINT — Both Sandpoint High School soccer teams will take on Moscow at districts today at War Memorial Field.

The girls varsity team kicks off the action at 5 p.m.

Moscow is ranked first in the state for 4A, despite two regular-season losses to the Bulldogs, with Bishop Kelly ranked second.

However, with a win Thursday, the Bulldogs can move up to the No. 2 ranking for the state tournament seeding. 

“In the last three seasons, the girls soccer team has beaten Moscow six times in regular league games," Sandpoint girls coach Conor Baranski said.

However, in the previous two seasons, Baranski said the Bears were able to defeat Sandpoint in the district championship to go to state. The Bulldogs will be looking to get over the hurdle of playing Moscow at Memorial in order to go to state, he added.

"The last time we went to state, we won, and I'm confident that if we can get back to the state tourney, we'll make a deep run again,” Baranski said.

In the second game, not to be outdone, the Bulldog boys varsity team will be taking on Moscow, also for the district title.

The game is slated to start at 7 p.m.

Currently ranked first in the state for 4A, and fourth in the state for all schools, Bulldogs boys coach Tanner French hopes his team can improve to an 11-0-3 record with a win Thursday night. 

"Moscow plays with plenty of numbers in the back, hoping to disrupt any momentum we are able to throw at them," French said. "Our boys will have to be patient in possession and remain confident throughout the match in order to remain playing through the state tournament next weekend."

The state tournament will be held on a similar turf surface next weekend in Post Falls.