Sandpoint 3, Lakeland 1

RATHDRUM — If you're familiar with Sandpoint High soccer, you know that Huxley Hall is a bona fide goal scorer.

The senior forward continued to prove that Thursday night when he scored two first-half goals to lead the Bulldogs to a 3-1 5A Inland Empire League victory over the Hawks at Sunrise Rotary Field.

After a slow start, Hall scored on a penalty kick during the 13th minute and again during the 33rd minute after one-touching a through ball from fellow senior Jack Treman as Sandpoint took a 2-0 lead heading into halftime.

Freshman Wesley Drube added a goal of his own during the 59th minute after he won the ball in the offensive third and his shot from outside of the box curled into the back post. Despite giving up a late goal, the Bulldogs dominated down the stretch in terms of time of possession.

"The midfield played really well, especially keeping possession of the ball," Sandpoint High assistant coach Jake Rookey noted of the second-half effort. "We had lots of chances in the second half. Our captains all played well — it was a solid win."

Junior goalkeeper Landon Brinkmeier recorded three saves in what was Sandpoint's 10th win of the season.

The win propelled Sandpoint to the IEL regular season title and to the No. 1 seed for the district playoffs, which start Saturday, Oct. 11, after a No. 4 and No. 5 seed play-in game Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Opting not to rest for such a long period of time, Sandpoint (10-3-2) will host 4A powerhouse Coeur d'Alene Charter for senior night on Monday to round out the regular season. 

The Panthers were 17-1-2 last season as state runner-ups. They're 11-0 so far this season and are outscoring opponents 63-1.

First half — 1, SPT, Huxley Hall (penalty kick), 13'. 2, SPT, Hall (Jack Treman), 33'. Second half — 3, SPT, Wesley Drube (unassisted), 59'. 4, LL, Ethan Hunt (unassisted), 75'. 

Shots on goal: Sandpoint — 14. Lakeland — 4. 

Saves: Sandpoint — Landon Brinkmeier 3. Lakeland —  Ty Van Meeteren 11.