PONDERAY — Despite near complete control of their consolation bracket game against the Wood River Wolverines, the Sandpoint Bulldogs found themselves in familiar territory, in need of a goal late on Friday at the Field of Dreams. 

Wood River stole a goal in the 57th minute to give it a 1-0 advantage, putting Sandpoint in a do-or-die scenario. The determined Bulldogs threw everything they had at the Wolverines for 20 minutes, but for the second straight day came up empty-handed.  

Sandpoint fell 1-0 in the consolation bracket of the 5A State Tournament, which put an end to their 2026 season. 

"We dominated, outshot, outpossessed and sometimes that's just the game of sports," Sandpoint head coach Alan Brinkmeier said. "They gave everything they could; I think they came out like they needed to, just didn't finish our chances." 

After slow starts in their two previous games, Brinkmeier said he thought his Bulldogs came out fast and determined against the Wolverines. Sandpoint controlled possession for most of the first half with two corner kicks and several shots on goal. 

While Sandpoint was putting shots toward Wood River's keeper, they were easily handled, and the two teams went to halftime tied 0-0. 

The two teams remained deadlocked at 0-0 until the 57th minute when Wood River's senior Skyler Jensen tapped the ball past a charging Izzy Stark, Sandpoint's senior goalkeeper, to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead.  

In need of a goal to extend their season, the Bulldogs emptied their tank offensively. Corner kicks, crosses and desperate shots packed the final 20 minutes of the game, but none rang true as Sandpoint's season came to an emotional close. 

"When you're up against the wall, and you're struggling, are you able to dig deep and push forward? This team has it; they showed it as much as they could," Brinkmeier said of what the team can take away from the loss. "It's a bummer to send the seniors off this way, but I think it's a building point, even though it's off losses. We will move forward and come back stronger next year." 

Brinkmeier thanked his seniors, Bayah Ratigan, Vivian Haag, Aleeya Anaya, Sawyer Lee, Adele Mitchell, Jordyn Tomco and Stark, for their efforts in the team's finale. The latter two of the seniors took hard hits in the waning moments of the game as they threw everything they had at the Wolverines. 

"It's a special group of seniors," Brinkmeier said. "We would not be where we are or even in the state tournament without our seniors." 

The Bulldogs end their season 10-9-1.  

Wood River 0 1 — 1 

Sandpoint 0 0 — 0 

First half — none. Second half — WR, Skyler Jensen (unassisted), 57:00. 

Shots on goal — Wood River 2, Sandpoint 9. 

Saves — Wood River, Josie Marenda 9; Sandpoint, Izzy Stark 1.