SANDPOINT — There is a certain cruelness to the game of soccer. 

No matter how long you control the ball, how many shots you take, it all goes away without finding the back of the net. It's that cruelty the Sandpoint Bulldogs endured in the 5A State Championship against the Caldwell Cougars on Saturday at War Memorial Field. 

Despite outshooting their opponents 7-5 and dominating possession, Sandpoint watched as their momentum was erased in an instant when Caldwell senior Walter Romeo buried a goal in the 71st minute and again when Romero scored a penalty kick in the 75th minute.  

After a dominant season, the Bulldogs fell 2-0 to the Cougars in the 5A State Championship and finished as the state runners-up. 

"The boys are feeling a lot of heartbreak right now. They gave absolutely everything not only today, but all season," Sandpoint head coach Dan Anderson said. "While it feels like a failure, we did so much this season as a team, and I view this season as successful. Just absolutely gutted that we couldn't get the seniors and the team the state championship they wanted." 

Caldwell controlled the first 10 minutes of the game as both teams settled down in front of a packed house at War Memorial Field. Once the Bulldogs settled, they got back to what they do best, finding space and sending crosses into the box.  

Sandpoint totaled three shots and two corner kicks in the first half, but Caldwell's backline, especially senior Sergio Gaxiola, remained stout. The Bulldogs' best scoring chance came when a ball bounced in front of junior Pax Longanecker, but he was unable to send it past Cougars' keeper Angel Villafana. 

The Bulldogs' pressure continued well into the second half, effectively switching the field to create open crosses into the box. Caldwell's few early chances were snuffed out by Sandpoint's backline and goalkeeper Landon Brinkmeier. 

"I thought our backline and our keeper were incredible; everyone stood up to the task that was presented to us today," Anderson said. "It's a cruel sport." 

As Sandpoint was ramping up their pressure late, Romero found his run down the left side and, with one move past Brinkmeier, found himself with an empty net and a 1-0 Cougar lead. Now in desperation mode, the Bulldogs threw everything at the Cougars. 

However, Caldwell's counterpunch came quick and at the hands of Romero again as he took a penalty drawn by Luis Alonso to make it 2-0 with just five minutes left. One last tremendous save by Vilafana was enough to drain the clock and crown the Cougars the kings of 5A soccer. 

Sandpoint placed second in 5A for their efforts, closing out a 16-2-2 season where they were named the top-seeded team after going undefeated in Inland Empire League play. Anderson said he believes this team will look back on this season as a success and hopes they take away pride from their performance. 

"[I want them] to feel the heartbreak and pain, but as they look back on it, they will view this season as successful," Anderson said of what he wants his team to take away from their season. "At the end of the day, they did everything they could to get it done, and it didn't quite get it over the line." 

Sandpoint 0 0 — 0 

Caldwell 0 2 — 0 

First half — None. Second half — CC, Walter Romero (unassisted), 70:00. CC, Romero (penalty kick), 75:00. 

Shots on goal — Sandpoint 7, Caldwell 5. 

Saves — Sandpoint, Landon Brinkmeier 3; Caldwell, Angel Villafana 5.

    Sandpoint junior defender Gus Penrose sends a desperation shot toward the goal against Caldwell in the 5A State Championship game at War Memorial Field on Saturday.