SANDPOINT — Tears turned to sweat and smiles on Thursday at War Memorial Field as the Sandpoint Bulldogs channeled an emotional Senior Night to move past the Lakeland Hawks. 

It took a majority of the first half for the Bulldogs to strike in their Inland Empire League game against the Hawks. Sandpoint cashed in at the 26th minute as Harper Overland rifled a ball off the Lakeland keeper into the back of the net to give the Bulldogs a lead they'd never let go of. 

The Bulldogs continued to push offensively and generated several quality chances and corner kicks, though they did not find the back of the net again for the first half. Sandpoint finally converted on a corner kick in the 53rd minute with a header from Jordyn Tomco narrowly finding the back of the goal to make it 2-0 Bulldogs. 

It didn't take long for Sandpoint to extend its advantage thanks to a fantastic through ball from Ella Lett that found the foot of Aleeya Anaya as they were scorching down the right side of the Lakeland defense. A quality finish helped the Bulldogs take a 3-0 lead in the game. 

Undeterred by the massive deficit, Lakeland found momentum after the third Sandpoint goal. The Hawks' Addi Forsman took control of the game, scoring two goals in the final 10 minutes of the game to bring the game to a far closer 3-2 with three minutes remaining. 

Sandpoint's Rae Olsen quickly proved the attending Bulldog faithful had nothing to fear as she sent a rocket off her right foot to extend her team's advantage to 4-2. 

The win notches the Bulldogs' third in a row, all Inland Empire games, and keeps them in the driver's seat of the league at 7-4-1 overall and 6-1 in league play. Sandpoint will play their final three games at home, beginning with a showdown with Coeur d'Alene on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at War Memorial Field. 

    Sandpoint's Aleeya Anaya moves past a Lakeland defender on Thursday at War Memorial Field.