Cougars dump Bulldogs
Stillwater Christian School’s Ryan Koch (18) kicks the ball past a Sandpoint defender while scoring a goal late in the second half Thursday. Garrett Cheen/Daily Inter Lake
The Daily Inter Lake
Defeat Sandpoint 4-0 in nonconference play
The Sandpoint JV boys soccer team has been a troublesome foe for Stillwater Christian School.
In the four years the two teams have squared off, Sandpoint had won five of the matches, lost just once and tied in the other outing.
Thursday, at SCS, the Cougars got the upper hand early with a goal by Wes Halliburton and added three more along the way for a 4-0 nonconference victory.
"We came out very strong tonight," SCS coach Tim Anderson said.
"Sandpoint has been a great opponent for us for the last few years. Today was a fantastic team effort."
Zaine Kloeckl scored at 21 minutes and Nathan Bush at 40 to give SCS, now 9-2-4 overall, a 3-0 lead at the half.
Ryan Koch scored the final near the 70-minute mark.
"We won many 50/50 balls and played composed throughout most of the game today," Anderson said.
"It was great to see freshmen Koch and Kloeckl both score. Kloeckl's goal came after a hard shot was fired and rebounded off the Sandpoint keeper and defender. Koch scored after two great through balls from Wes Halliburton and Jonas Labinsky."
Stillwater finished with 14 shots on goal to 11 for Sandpoint. Stillwater had the only corner kick in the match.
Daniel Jentz assisted on two goals, and David Rice and Jonas Labinsky both had one.
"We moved the ball well from the front to the back," Anderson said.
"The guys communicated well and finished on goal strong when they had the opportunities."
Anderson said keeper Tim Butterfield "made a few key saves," and Jeremy Curtis and Brenton Hemp "controlled the middle in the back."
Stillwater's next match is today at 4:15 p.m. versus the Whitefish JV. It's senior night for the Cougars.
Sandpoint JV 0 0 - 0
Stillwater Christian 3 1 - 4
Stillwater - Wes Halliburton (Daniel Jentz), 3:19; Zaine Kloeckl (David Rice), 21:19; Nathan Bush (Jentz), 40:30; Ryan Koch (Jonas Labinsky), 69:53
Shots on goal - Sandpoint JV 11, Stillwater 14
Corner kicks - Sandpoint JV 0, Stillwater 1
Goalie saves - Sandpoint 11 (NA), Stillwater 11 (Tim Butterfield)
Fouls - NA
Cards - NA