'It's so cool ... '

SANDPOINT - In his 12 years of coaching the Lakeland boys soccer team, Nick Haynes has been on the wrong end of the scoreboard against Sandpoint more times than he cares to remember.

So Thursday's 1-0 win over the No. 1 seed Bulldogs in the 4A Region 1 championship game at Centennial Field was extra sweet, as the No. 3 seed Hawks (11-4-3) made history by punching their first ticket to the state soccer tournament.

"It's been a rough 12 years, and having to beat Sandpoint to go to state is a huge accomplishment," said Haynes, who hopes his team continues the high standard set by the 4A Inland Empire League. "Usually the team that wins the 4A (IEL) places at state, and we have a great shot."

Junior Colton Grytness scored the game's only goal in the 8th minute, bringing down a pass from Alex Opland and blasting a low shot through a mass of bodies to give his team an early lead.

“Alex fed me a sweet ball, I took it off the chest and pushed it in,” Grytness said. “It’s so cool being the first team to make history. We’re winning state.”

Freshman goalie Cade Coffey earned the shutout, as the Hawks’ defense limited the quality looks at an equalizer for the Bulldogs.

Sandpoint (8-8-1) finally broke through and appeared to tie the game in the 70th minute when Joab Logan found the back of the net, but an offside call negated the goal and quelled the celebration before it could get started.

Bulldogs coach Adam Tajan said his team’s inability to capitalize in the final third was the difference in the game, crediting Lakeland with finishing an early look and making it stand up.

“We possessed well, but that last opportunity just wasn’t there,” Tajan said.

Lakeland opens the state tournament next Thursday in Caldwell.

First half — 1, LL, Colton Grytness (Alex Opland), 8:00. Second half — None.

Shots on goal — LL 6, Spt 8.

Saves — LL, Cade Coffey, 8; Spt, Austin Keyes, 5.