Coming off of a season battling injuries and the rigorous 3A Southwest League, four M-CHS soccer players landed on the post-season All-Southwest League team, selected by the league coaches. Seniors Ben Byerly, Morgan Larrick, Trinidad McDonell and Noah Lederer all earned spots on the honor roll after the Panthers wrapped up a third-place finish in the league standings.
Byerly, one of the team captains, proved to be one of the most prolific scorers in the 3A classification, tallying 10 goals while providing five assists to pace the Panthers this season. The senior forward kept defenses busy with his crafty runs and solid footwork, with his most prolific output of the season coming with a hat trick in a win over Kirtland Central. Byerly’s work rate earned him a spot on the All-Southwest League first team.
Classmates Morgan Larrick, a first-team selection, and Noah Lederer, an honorable mention nominee, anchored the Panthers defense, helping the Panthers to a pair of shutout victories over Alamosa on the season. Their continuous communication from the central defense helped the Panthers to thwart numerous opposing threats.
Their defense, combined with 226 saves from senior goalkeeper Trinidad McDonell, helped to limit Panthers opponents. With 17 saves per match, McDonell landed a spot on the first team for the second consecutive season.
Head coach Kevin McGarigal’s Panthers finished with a mark of 3-11, with a 2-4 record in league play. Pagosa Springs, who had both the player and goalkeeper of the year selections, picked up the league title and represented the league in the 3A state tournament.
