A close pair of 1-0 victories against Bridger Valley opponents earned the Powell Panther boys’ soccer team a berth at the state tournament, defeating Mountain View 1-0 on Friday and Lyman 1-0 on Saturday to secure the No. 4 seed in Green River next week.

POWELL 1, MOUNTAIN VIEW 0

Heading into Friday, the Panthers (8-7 overall, 6-5 3A West) knew it would be a battle against the Buffalos (4-8 overall, 3-7 3A West), with the winner likely grabbing the upperhand in the quest for a state tournament berth.

With the wind at their backs in the first half the Panthers applied pressure to the Mountain View defense, creating chances while ensuring they were not counter-attacked in the blustery conditions.

Powell battled without its leading scorer and senior captain Chance Franks, who was sidelined with an injury along with other starters out with injuries, forcing the Panthers to shift around tactics after more than a week away from action.

“We’ve had to restructure a little with lineups and strategies with our injuries this season,” coach David Gilliatt said.

Powell earned its breakthrough just before the midway point of the first half, after a play through the Buffalo defense led to chaos near the goal.

A through-ball was aided by the wind, deflecting off several Mountain View defenders, before ultimately going down as an own goal as it was ushered over the line.

“I was glad to get the early goal even if it wasn’t the prettiest,” Gilliatt said. “We obviously were trying to increase the lead but the result was more important than the margin.”

Powell was unable to add to the lead before the half, but maintained it heading into the break.

In the second half Mountain View had several opportunities, but was unable to convert any long-range efforts as Ryan Rivas continued to hold the Buffalos at bay.

The Panthers held on in the wind, and moved into a prime position to earn a state berth on Saturday.

“We viewed the game as a must win in order to qualify for state and knew that Mountain View did as well,” Gilliatt said. “Both teams were fighting for postseason survival.”

POWELL 1, LYMAN 0

Heading into Saturday the Panthers knew that a victory would guarantee a berth at the state tournament, taking on the Eagles (1-12 overall, 1-10 3A West) and seeking revenge for a shootout loss last month.

Powell controlled the tempo from the start, again using the wind to its advantage and keeping the ball away from a physical Lyman team.

The Panthers once again got a breakthrough just before the midway point of the first half, this time from a well worked Parker Williams goal in the 17th minute.

“Parker had a great game and his experience as a player helped us secure the win,” Gilliatt said. “He showed great composure in front of the goal with a fake shot on his left to send the Lyman defender going the wrong way, only to put it back on his right to score the goal.”

Powell did well to maintain that advantage going into the half, once again needing to hold off a strong, physical team to secure the victory.

“Lyman is a really athletic team and they do a good job of making the game physically tough,” Gilliatt said. “Our game plan was to possess the ball as much as possible and try to use our technical advantage to get the win.”

Powell continued to survive in the second half, with Tevon Schultz winning headers at the back, Truett Carter stopping difficult long shots in net and Cody Fisher linking up play alongside Will Jackson. With those efforts, the Panthers hung on for another 1-0 victory.

POSTSEASON LOCKED UP

After the two victories over the weekend and losses by Mountain View, the Panthers have locked up a berth at the state tournament in Green River next week once again.

Entering into the final game of the season against those hosts, the Panthers are secure in the fourth position in the west with no opportunity to move up.

Powell will take on Green River (11-2 overall, 9-1 3A West) on Friday at 6 p.m. as the Wolves are attempting to lock up a No. 1 seed heading into next weekend.

“We have our focus on state now and might use the Green River game as an exercise to prepare us for state rather than view it as a must win game,” Gilliatt said. “We are still adjusting to a different playing style and could use the additional practice.”

The Wolves currently lead the west by a point over Cody (8-4 overall, 8-2 3A West) and two points over Lander (8-4 overall, 8-2 3A West), with Green River taking on both Park County teams this weekend. Cody also takes on the Tigers on Tuesday (tonight).

In the east, the likely opponent for Powell is Worland (11-2 overall, 7-1 3A East), which needs to win both games this week to secure the top spot just ahead of Torrington (12-2 overall, 8-1 3A East) which only has one game this week.

According to the bracket posted on the Wyoming High School Activities Association website, the Panthers will slot into a 4 p.m. contest next Thursday in Green River.

3A WEST STANDINGS

(Overall record then conference record)

1. Green River — 11-2, 33 points; 9-1, 27 points

2. Cody — 8-4, 26 points; 8-2, 26 points

3. Lander — 8-4, 25 points; 8-2, 25 points

4. Powell — 8-7, 25 points; 6-5, 19 points

5. Mountain View — 4-8, 13 points; 3-7, 10 points

6. Pinedale — 2-12, 6 points; 1-9, 3 points

7. Lyman — 1-12, 3 points; 1-10, 3 points