Sandpoint 0, Middleton 0

MIDDLETON — This team just has a knack for coming up clutch in tense moments.

After 100 minutes of play, including two 10-minute overtime periods, Elia Howard scored the game-winning goal in the ensuing penalty shootout, junior goalkeeper Izzy Stark made back-to-back penalty kick saves, and the No. 8 Lady Bulldogs bested the No. 4 Lady Vikings (13-7) by a shootout score of 4-3 on Middleton's home turf Friday morning in a 5A State Championship tournament loser-out matchup.

It was a back-and-forth first half, and there was no clear edge or dominance in possession throughout the contest.

During the fifth minute, Middleton had a shot hit off the left post, which was cleared out of danger by senior Ava Glahe. Ten minutes later, Howard saw Sandpoint's first real chance after a through ball from senior Mackenzie Mitchell allowed her to create some space as she streaked up the far-side of the field, sending a shot just over the crossbar. In the second half, the Lady Bulldogs had a shot off a corner kick try headed away from the goal by a defender during the 48th minute on what was one of their best chances of the day.

Senior Cecilia Dignan, described by Middleton's coaches as a "world class" center back, led a Sandpoint defensive effort that didn't allow many true chances.

"I could not agree more," Sandpoint High head coach Alan Brinkemier said of Middleton's assessment of Dignan. "Cecilia keeps us in every game. She's the most consistent and dependable center back I have had the pleasure to coach and watch."

Brinkmeier noted that Howard, a track & field standout in addition to her play on the pitch, also played a big role in the shutout through 100 minutes.

"Howard's play required Middleton to move their best player and mark her because of her speed," Brinkmeier said. "During the whole match, she never slowed down."

Onto the shootout, it was Stark, who had seven saves in total, and the third shot by junior Bayah Ratigan that propelled the Lady Bulldogs to the win. Dignan and Glahe both fired in shots that made their way inside the right post, and Middleton matched for a 2-2 start. Ratigan then lasered a no-doubter into the top-left corner of the net to keep things knotted up 3-3. The fourth shot for each team is where things got interesting.

On the Lady Vikings' fourth try, Stark dove left and stretched out to save a ball off her fingertips, which garnered a large round of applause from the audience. On Sandpoint's next attempt, Mitchell sent a shot right and Middleton High junior goalkeeper Megan Stewart, who stands at 6-feet tall, made almost a replica save that mirrored Stark's.

During the fifth shot, Stark made another save, diving to the left once again and firmly securing the ball to give the Lady Bulldogs a chance to end it — and that's exactly what Howard did. The senior's shot rolled right and the opposing keeper flinched left as Sandpoint downed Middleton in penalty kicks for the second straight year in state tournament play.

"This team is fighting through nagging injuries from the first game and I could not be more impressed and in awe on their drive to keep pushing," Brinkmeier said. "They could have given up after one heartbreak, but not this team. We now look forward to ending on another winning streak and bringing home some hardware."

Sandpoint (7-9-1) will square off against No. 3 Skyline (15-4-2), which defeated No. 2 Twin Falls by a score of 3-2 in overtime, for the consolation championship on Saturday at 9 a.m. (PST).

5A Inland Empire League rival No. 5 Moscow (13-3-3) defeated No. 1 Hillcrest (18-1-1) by a score of 4-3 in a penalty kicks after a 1-1 stalemate to advance to the state title match. They'll face No. 6 Vallivue (17-5), which defeated No. 7 Pocatello (9-11) by a score of 2-0 in the semifinals, at 2 p.m. (PST) on Saturday.

1st half — None. 2nd half — None.

Shots on goal: Sandpoint — 7. Middleton — 7.

Saves: Sandpoint — Izzy Stark 7. Middleton — Megan Stewart 6.