Prep Roundup: Moscow eliminates Sandpoint
After losing both of its regular-season matches against Sandpoint, the Moscow boys soccer team was hungry for a chance at redemption.
On Thursday, Moscow got that opportunity and capitalized on it.
Nico Sanchez’s unassisted goal in the second half gave the Bears a 1-0 win over top-seeded Sandpoint in the 4A Region I title match in Sandpoint.
The loss marks the first time in the 10 years the defending State 4A champion Bulldogs will not participate in the state tournament.
Sandpoint, which beat Moscow 3-1 on Aug. 30 and 3-0 on Sept. 27, has won the State 4A title five times in the past seven years.
The Bears’ last appearance in the state tournament came in 2004, when they went 1-2.
With the win, Moscow improved to 12-4-1 while the Bulldogs ended their season 11-5-2.
The State 4A tournament will be held Thursday through Oct. 20 at Pocatello High School.
Volleyball
Maddie Dolny led Moscow with seven kills, 11 assists, 12 digs and 11 blocks and the visiting Bears defeated Coeur d’Alene 26-24, 25-21, 25-19 in an Inland Empire League match. With the win, Moscow (10-2) takes over sole possession of second place in the IEL. Kama Griffitts had nine kills and three blocks and Natalie Stewart dished out 26 assists to lead the Vikings (9-3). … Elsewhere in the league, Ashley Kelley had a match-high 12 kills and Alivia Johnson added 10 kills and three blocks to lead Lake City (5-7) to a 25-13, 25-13, 25-17 win over host Lakeland in Rathdrum. Alyana Watson had 14 digs and Breezy Stecker added 11 assists to lead the Hawks (4-8). … Sandpoint (11-1) defeated Lewiston (3-9) 25-18, 25-21, 25-23 in Lewiston.
“Steph Squires dished out 19 assists and Marissa Bush added 24 digs to guide Kellogg (5-3) to a 26-24, 23-25, 25-17, 25-23 Intermountain League win over host Priest River. Mellissa Hopkins had 11 kills to lead the Spartans (4-4). … Elsewhere, Hannah Kady had nine kills and Hayley Olson handed out 20 assists as Bonners Ferry defeated visiting Timberlake 25-17, 13-25, 25-15, 25-12.
“Katie Baker had a match-high nine kills and five blocks and Sarah McHugh dished out 23 assists as Coeur d’Alene Charter defeated host Clark Fork in a North Star League match. Sabrina Ewing added nine digs for the Panthers (7-3). Chelsea Macumber had five kills and eight digs and Megan Hess added five aces to lead the Wampus Cats (1-5). … Elsewhere in the league, Hannah Nyrop had 22 kills and five aces as Kootenai (8-1) defeated visiting Wallace 25-8, 20-25, 25-17, 25-15 in Harrison. Jessica Johnson had 11 kills and Sydney Stein dished out 19 assists to lead the Miners (6-3).