Junior middie Jesse Hansen saved his biggest game for the most important day of the season.

Hansen scored a game-high seven goals to lead fourth-seeded Lake City to a 10-8 victory over third-seeded Sandpoint in the North Idaho Lacrosse League championship game Friday night in Coeur d’Alene.

Senior attackman Adam Marfice added a goal and an assist to help the Timberwolves (10-4) win their fifth straight NILL championship. Lake City has won every league title since the 2006 season, and this year’s team is by far and away the most surprising.

Not much was expected this season of Lake City, which qualified for the tournament in the fourth and final slot. But the Timberwolves seem to have a knack for winning when they must.

“It’s all about learning from their mistakes,” Lake City head coach Dwight Emmons said. “This is an extremely coachable group.”

With the win, Lake City has advanced to the Idaho state championship game, where it will face the heavily-favored winner of the Treasure Valley Lacrosse League. This will be the third straight season Lake City has represented the North Idaho Lacrosse League in the state-title game. Lake City lost in the previous two title games.

On Friday, junior attackmen Brad Smidt and Nate Webb each scored once to round out the offense for the Timberwolves.

In the cage, sophomore goalie Cameron Veeder had a huge game, stopping 18 shots.

Sandpoint, which was playing in the league championship game for the first time in program history, finished the season 10-5.

Lake City led 4-2 at the end of the first quarter, 7-3 at halftime and 8-5 at the end of the third quarter.

Sandpoint closed within 9-8 with 8:43 remaining in regulation, but Hansen scored his seventh of the evening with 5:07 to play to give Lake City some much-needed breathing room.

“It was a nail biter,” Emmons said. “I give Sandpoint lots of credit. Our defense was on its heels.”