While the team outperformed expectations, last year's Sandpoint High School girls' soccer team's third-place finish at the 5A State Championship fell slightly below the program's historic standard of excellence. Sandpoint's head coach Alan Brinkmeier said his team knows it, and the loaded class of returners is prepared to get back to the standard. 

"I don't have to do a ton of motivating. Most of them just have it," Brinkmeier said. "I think it's on this team's mind, because most of those are returners, to like, 'Okay, let's get back to state and let's actually prove what Sandpoint stands for.'" 

The Lady Bulldogs will look to do so through a possession-heavy style of play that Brinkmeier hopes to instill in his players. Sandpoint will be led by seniors Bayah Ratigan and Jordyn Tomco in the midfield. Brinkmeier said Ratigan, who is on the varsity squad for the fourth year in a row, plays a pivotal role in creating scoring opportunities for the team. 

Izzy Stark, the team's senior goalkeeper, is recovering from a broken leg, but Brinkmeier said she will be a massively impactful player upon her return. 

"We'll see how physical therapy goes, but we definitely need her," Brinkmeier said. 

On the back end, Brinkmeier will be leaning on his youth after the team's entire defensive backline graduated last spring. He said he expects Willow Betz, a junior who played on varsity as a sophomore, to be a contributor thanks to her experience last season. 

The Bulldogs' head coach said he's excited to see Ella Lett, a rising sophomore, have a bigger role with the team this season. Brinkmeier also mentioned Maggie McClure, a rising junior, as a role player who could deliver quality minutes for the team in the midfield. 

Junior striker Rae Olsen will be a name for fans to keep their eye on. Brinkmeier said he's going to rely on her for much of the team's forward attack and goal scoring after a breakout season a year ago. 

"She got one hat trick last year, but she was kind of hot and cold," Brinkmeier said. "I'm hoping that she performs definitely. Then, as I said, we've got some freshmen coming in that can get some minutes and make an impact." 

While the program's expectations have been to make the 5A State Tournament, this year there's some additional pressure, Brinkmeier said. This is because the tournament will be hosted by Sandpoint for the first time in its history, giving the Bulldogs a potential home-field advantage.  

"I don't know if they hold the stress like I do," Brinkmeier said of his team, letting out a chuckle. "Give the season time to kind of go on, settle in and it'll start to feel like, 'Oh, if we do this, we don't have to travel to Boise. We just get to sleep in our own bed, wake up and go to a game.'" 

FUN FACT: The Lady Bulldogs are seeking their fifth straight district title and their 10th state title in school history this season. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Bayah Ratigan, sr.; Rae Olsen, jr.; Ella Lett, so. 

MOST ANTICIPATED GAME: Moscow, 8/25 and 9/17. Brinkmeier said Moscow is the defending state champions, making those the contests the Bulldogs have circled in 2026. 

SCHEDULE: 

• 8/22 vs Owyhee, 10:30 a.m. 

• 8/25 @ Moscow, 4:30 p.m. 

• 8/27 vs Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m. 

• 8/29 vs Post Falls, 6:30 p.m. 

• 8/31 @ Coeur d’Alene, 4:30 p.m. 

• 9/3 @ Lakeland, 4 p.m. 

• 9/8 vs University, 6:30 p.m. 

• 9/10 vs Mead, 4 p.m. 

• 9/12 @ Lewiston, 12 p.m. 

• 9/15 @ Columbia Falls, 2 p.m. 

• 9/17 vs Moscow, 4 p.m. 

• 9/22 @ Post Falls, 4:30 p.m. 

• 9/24 vs Lakeland, 4 p.m. 

• 9/26 vs Coeur d’Alene, 6:30 p.m. 

• 9/29 vs Lake City, 4:30 p.m. 

• 10/3 vs Lewiston, 1 p.m.