Wood River 3, Sandpoint 2

NAMPA — Sandpoint High head coach Dan Anderson said it might be one of the best high school soccer games he's ever watched, even though it wasn't the end result his team was hoping for.

Sophomore Dixon Reed and senior Huxley Hall fired in goals just three minutes apart midway through the first half for a 2-0 lead, but the No. 2 Wolverines (17-1-2) tallied a three-goal comeback to defeat the No. 3 Bulldogs by a goal in overtime in a 5A State Championship tournament semifinals matchup held Friday afternoon at Columbia High.

Reed struck first for Sandpoint during the 24th minute. A Knox Williams throw-in, after a couple of headers, made its way to the feet of senior Logan McGrann, who sent a ball into the box from 30 yards out. Reed gained possession of the ball after a scrum and evaded two Wolverine defenders as his shot ricocheted off the opposing goalkeeper's gloves and into the top-left corner for the 1-0 advantage.

Shortly after, senior Jack Treman stole the ball and pushed it upfield via a slide tackle, where it ended up in the possession of sophomore exchange student Alvaro Santos. Santos dribbled three times up the near side, eluded two defenders and drew the opposing goalkeeper, and sent a pass to a wide open Hall, who tapped it in for the two-goal lead.

Eventually, Wood River, which was outscoring opponents 110-12 entering the game, scored during the 35th and 44th minutes, and a stalemate between the teams became apparent until late in the contest.

Junior goalkeeper Landon Brinkmeier, who recorded nine saves in total, made a one-on-one save near the end of the first half and a double save from point-blank range during the 75th minute to keep things close. Anderson said without the play from Brinkmeier, he's not sure his team would have saw an overtime period.

"He kept us in it, not only throughout the game, but that double save... I don't think I've ever seen something like that before from a goalkeeper that I've coached," Anderson noted of the play, where the second shot that was saved was essentially a tap in for Wolverines. "Wow. That kid is incredible. He really kept us in it and got us into overtime. The whole team did, but he really got us there."

It was in overtime, however, that Wood River High senior Reidar Slotten created some space during the 84th minute and lasered in a shot from 20 yards out to secure the Wolverines' state title match berth.

"This one hurts," Anderson said. "I can't even begin to express words on how incredibly proud I am of the boys' effort that they put into today and throughout the whole season. I couldn't have asked for any more from our guys. At the end of the day, it didn't bounce our way, but we're keeping our heads held high and are proud of what we accomplished. We're not done yet."

Sandpoint (14-4-2) will take on No. 4 Twin Falls (13-7-1), which lost to No. 1 Vallivue (17-1) by a score of 4-1 in their semifinals match, in the 5A State Championship tournament third-place game on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. (PST).

1st half — 1, SPT, Dixon Reed (Logan McGrann), 24'. 2, SPT, Huxley Hall (Alvaro Santos), 27'. 3, WR, Jackson Wallace (Reidar Slotten), 35'. 2nd half — 4, WR,  Jackson Wallace (Alberto Romo), 44'. Overtime — Reidar Slotten (Alberto Romo), 84'.

Shots on goal: Sandpoint — 7. Wood River — 12.

Saves: Sandpoint — Landon Brinkmeier 9. Wood River — Elian Servin 5.