A tie is better than a loss.
On Friday, The Montezuma-Cortez Lady Panthers (3-7-1, 1-6-1 5A/4A Southwestern League) came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to even things up with the Grand Junction Tigers (1-12-1, 0-8-1 5A/4A Southwestern League) midway through the second half.
Gabby Wolf hit an incredible game-tying goal from 45 yards out to shift momentum in favor of the Panthers, and the reenergized team pushed the issue on offense to get additional looks from Wolf, Weslie Kirks, Rylee Lindsley and Britaney Hampton.
“It’s girls getting jazzed about having an opportunity to win the game at that point,” said head coach Nathan Ross. “And Britaney (Hampton) started making a lot of runs down the right side and played some beautiful crosses across the middle. That was really a big reason why we kept Grand Junction in their defensive third for that second half.”
The Panthers controlled the ball for a majority of the second half, but neither they nor the visiting Tigers were able to find the back of the net for a go-ahead goal.
The only goal allowed by M-CHS keeper Stevee Brenner was on a penalty kick by Taylor Hein just nine minutes in to the contest. Brenner saved everything else for the rest of the game – including during the 20-minute overtime period – to finish with nine saves in the 1-1 tie.
While a win would have been preferred, Ross said he’s happy to finish with a tie, as it keeps M-CHS above Grand Junction in the league standings.
“We don’t have the depth right now and injuries are plaguing us, but they played through it and in the second half I was proud that our girls were able to hold defensively,” Ross said.
“(Grand Junction) did have a penalty kick in the second half, and it’s kind of funny the way that the ball will bounce for you on your home field,” he continued. “But you have to have that energy level and you have to have confidence.”
The Lady Panthers’ confidence carried over to Saturday’s contest with Grand Junction Central (6-7-1, 3-2 5A/4A Southwestern League).
However, just five minutes into the match, Wolf went down with an ankle injury and the Lady Panthers were forced to carry on without their leading scorer.
Senior Nichole Kibel stepped up in place of Wolf, and 22 minutes in she sent a beautiful arcing shot from 25 yards out that was narrowly saved by Warriors’ keeper Cori Evering.
Kirks also had opportunities for the Panthers – using her speed to get behind the defense – but Evering kept everything out and the Warriors went to the break with a 3-0 lead.
The Lady Panthers netted one goal in the second half – and Brenner locked up the net to keep Central scoreless – but they were unable to get any closer, as the Warriors went on to win, 3-1.
M-CHS hosts the Durango Demons (10-3, 8-1 5A/4A Southwestern League) on Tuesday for their final league game of the season, before traveling to Pagosa Springs on Thursday to take on the Pirates (9-4, 9-2 3A Region 5).
