Sandpoint 6, Moscow 0

SANDPOINT — Alvaro Santos has been playing footy for a lifetime in Madrid, Spain — and his skills were on full display Tuesday night.

The Sandpoint High sophomore exchange student collected his first career hat trick as the Bulldogs downed the Bears by a six-goal margin in 5A Inland Empire League play at War Memorial Field.

"He's so fun to watch," Sandpoint High head coach Dan Anderson said. "How good he is on the ball just comes from a life spent in and around the game. The results are here for all of us to see. He scores three goals while being selfless as well... he's combining with his teammates and just taking beautiful touches around the box before he finishes his chances."

Senior forward Huxley Hall started off the Bulldogs' scoring on the night during the 17th minute, heading in a ball after a massive throw-in near the corner by junior midfielder Knox Williams. During the 23rd minute, Santos then extended the lead to two goals, drilling a left-footed shot into the top right-hand corner of the net off a dish from Hall.

A minute later, Sandpoint went ahead 3-0 after an own goal, with the credit going to senior Logan McGrann. McGrann took a free kick from 30 yards out, which deflected off a Bear player and made it's way into the left-hand side of the nylon.

The Bulldogs, which had 16 shots on goal compared to the Bears' one, continued to push forward with goals during the 31st and 34th minutes.

Santos, off a great through ball from Hall, beat out two Moscow defenders for a one-on-one with the keeper and buried into the bottom right corner for the 4-0 lead. During the 34th minute, sophomore exchange student Hugo GilRuiz crossed a ball into the box, which Hall headed off the right post. After a scramble in front of the net, McGrann fired in a goal of his own as the Bulldogs took a 5-0 advantage heading into intermission.

In the second half, Santos quickly completed the hat trick during the 49th minute. The midfielder received a ball from McGrann in the center of the box and turned around and fired in a no-doubter to extend the lead to six goals, which stood until time expired.

"It's great to be scoring more goals this year, but shutouts are really the most important thing for us," coach Anderson said. "That being said, being able to score this many goals is a weapon and hopefully puts some teams on notice — it's not just one player, but many different players scoring, assisting and being involved."

Junior goalkeeper Landon Brinkmeier tallied one save in what was his third shutout of the year in between the posts.

"Our back line, we had six or seven guys play at any given point in time tonight and they all contributed to the shutout," coach Anderson said. "Landon was great when he needed to be. He came out confidently and cleared things out. We stood up to the physicality they tried to bring to the game."

Sandpoint (5-0), which has won five straight, will look to remain undefeated when they host Coeur d'Alene for a 6A/5A Inland Empire League match Thursday.

1st half — 1, SPT, Huxley Hall (Knox Williams), 17'. 2, Alvaro Santos (Huxley Hall), 23'. 3, SPT, own goal, 24'. 4, Alvaro Santos (Huxley Hall), 31'. 5, Logan McGrann (unassisted), 34'. 2nd half — 6, Alvaro Santos (Logan McGrann), 49'.

Shots on goal: SPT — 16. MOS — 1.

Saves: SPT — Landon Brinkmeier 1. MOS — David Godbey 7; Owen Hudelson 3.