Trojans open with a bang

* GIRLS

SANDPOINT - Persia Anderson started the game off with a bang, and Erica Simpson added the finishing touches, as the Post Falls Trojans opened the season with a 2-0 win over the Sandpoint Bulldogs in nonleague girls soccer opener at Pine Street Field on Saturday.

Anderson finished a pass from Simpson less than a minute into the game to give the Trojans an early 1-0 lead, which stood up until Simpson was on the finishing end of a score in the final minute to seal the win. First-year Post Falls coach Sarah Stevens was pleased with the mindset her team brought to kick off the season.

"We came in focused, but there are still things we need to work on," Stevens said. "They executed the things they needed to execute. Sandpoint is a tough place to play."

The Bulldogs created some scoring opportunities while racking up 18 shots on goal, but Trojans goalie Sam Runkle turned them all away, finishing with 12 saves.

Despite the outcome, Sandpoint coach Conor Baranski was pleased with his team's effort in defeat.

"I'm very pleased with how we played today compared to the jamboree. We were vastly improved," said Baranski. "That's my players, good for them. We battled hard."

Sandpoint travels to Coeur d'Alene to face the Vikings at Canfield Middle School on Thursday.

Post Falls travels to Moscow on Tuesday.

First half - 1, PF, Persia Anderson (Erica Simpson), :50. Second half - 2, PF, Simpson (Sadie Schmeling), 79:00.

Shots on goal - PF 12, Spt 18.

Saves - PF, Sam Runkle 12; Spt, Paige DuMars 8.

Coeur d'Alene 4

Lakeland 0

COEUR d'ALENE - Freshman Kylie Hanson had a goal and an assist in the second half as the Vikings defeated the Hawks in the nonleague opener for both at Canfield Middle School.

The game, which was scheduled for Coeur d'Alene High, was moved due to work on the soccer field that won't be completed until school begins, according to Viking coach Andy Vredenburg.

Bekah Brendis scored on a free kick in the first half for Coeur d'Alene, which hosts Sandpoint on Thursday at Canfield.

"I was actually really, really happy with what I saw in the first game," Vredenburg said. "Our goal was to start strong and we really did in the first game. We possessed the ball really well and was pleased to see what I saw today and am very happy."

Danielle Dowd had 12 saves for Lakeland, which travels to Lake City on Tuesday.

First half - 1, Cd'A, Bekah Brendis (free kick), 9:00. 2, Cd'A, Jillian Sanchez (Meg Lowry), 36:00. Second half - 3, Cd'A, Sydney Quimby (Kylie Hanson), 62:00. 4, Cd'A, Hanson (Lambert), 70:00.

Shots on goal - LL 4, Cd'A 18.

Saves - LL, Danielle Dowd 12; Cd'A, Sammi Lane 2, Julia Roach 2.

* BOYS

Post Falls 2

Lakeland 1

POST FALLS - Roberto Esquivel scored off a penalty kick and Cole Sullivan scored in the 27th minute to lead the Trojans past the Hawks in the nonleague opener for both schools.

"Lakeland's going to be a threat for any 4A team, and any team in our league," first-year Post Falls coach John Mueller said. "It was nice to be able to have a game. It was tough playing 10 days after tryouts, but glad we were out there to play against someone else. It was definitely an educational day. It was a good start of where we can improve and grow this year."

Noah Gondo had five saves for Post Falls, which hosts Moscow on Tuesday.

Nacho Pino scored an unassisted goal in the 50th minute for Lakeland, which travels to Bonners Ferry on Thursday.

First half - 1, PF, Roberto Esquivel (penalty kick), 5:00. 2, PF, Cole Sullivan (Pierce Johnson), 27:00. Second half - 3, LL, Nacho Pino (unassisted), 50:00.

Shots on goal - LL 8, PF 13.

Saves - LL, Cade Coffey 11; PF, Noah Gondo 5.

St. Maries 4

Lewiston JV 3

LEWISTON - Jean-Pierre Arras recorded a hat trick, with his third goal coming in the 75th minute, leading the Lumberjacks past the Bengals junior varsity in the season opener for both at Walker Field.

"We've got a lot of kids that haven't played before and got to see what high school soccer was all about today," St. Maries coach Chris Renaldo said. "It was a good first game of the season. Over half of our starters haven't played before, so it was a real eye-opener for us."

Johannes Padel had a goal and two assists for St. Maries, which travels to face Timberlake in the Tigers' first game in school history on Monday at 7 p.m.

First half - 1, SM, Jean-Pierre Arras (unassisted), 9:00. 2, Lew, Morgan Gridden (unassisted), 11:00. 3, SM, Johannes Padel (unassisted), 27:00. 4, Lew, Matthew Hersh (Gridden), 40:00. Second half - 5, Lew, Hersh (penalty kick), 45:00. 6, SM, Arras (Padel), 70:00. 7, SM, Arras (Padel), 75:00.

Shots on goal - SM 16, Lew 5.

Saves - SM, Zach Hills 2; Lew, Simeon Hills 8.