Soccer falls short in consolation gameJackson Hole won the rubber game of the season 3-0 over Powell, denying the Panthers the consolation trophy at the 2009 3A boys' state soccer tournament in Sheridan. The loss ends Powell's season at 9-8-1. After playing the Broncs down to the wire twice in the regular season — Jackson Hole scored an overtime win in Powell early in the year before the Panthers returned the favor with a 1-0 regulation victory on the road — Powell was upstaged in Sheridan. The Broncs scored once in the first half before tacking on a pair of early second-half goals to claim consolation honors. The Panthers' offense was held in check for large chunks of the contest as Jackson Hole was able to maintain a constant pressure on the pitch. The Panthers were relegated to the consolation half of the bracket on Thursday by a 2-1 loss to Lander. Lander got on the scoreboard first with a goal just past the midpoint of the first half. The Tigers extended their lead to 2-0 with a goal minutes into the second half. Senior Jordan Brown scored Powell's first state tournament goal midway through the second half, heading home a corner kick. The score breathed a measure of life back into the Panthers' chances, but Lander's defense held a pressing Panther offense out of net for the final 20 minutes to register the win. Goals weren't nearly as hard to come by on Friday as the Panthers recorded their second lopsided win of the year over Newcastle. Monte Nickles and Drayson Bratt each scored in the first 20 minutes to lift Powell to a 2-0 lead. Newcastle put itself back in contention with a goal before the half to trail by just a point at intermission. Powell slammed the door quickly thereafter. Senior Jordan Brown tagged home a goal just minutes into the second half. Jason Rand received credit for a goal less than five minutes later as Newcastle scored into its own net while attempting to clear the ball. The goal moved Powell on top 4-1. Rand struck again midway through the second half, this time blasting home a shot through the Newcastle defense. Cooper Wise wrapped up the Panther assault with a tally seconds before the referee's whistle brought a stop to the contest. Eight seniors graduate off the Panther roster for head coach Pat D'Alessandro. “I have been honored to work with this group and pray that our school's future seniors exhibit the same type of honor and integrity,” said D'Alessandro. “The way they conduct themselves on and off the field, being able to combine the pure competitiveness necessary to compete in a fierce sport like soccer with the balance that there are so many other more important spiritual, family and life issues that exist, makes it a unique group.”Season ends for PHS girls, shut out at stateThe Powell Panthers dropped a pair of games at the 3A girls' state soccer tournament in Sheridan over the weekend. The losses bring the curtain down on a 2-13 season for the squad.“Going into the state tournament, I wasn't sure how we'd respond,” said Panther head coach Brad Hammond. “We hadn't played well against Pinedale and got blown out by Cody, so it was good to see the way we responded as a team.”The Panthers opened state tournament play against Buffalo. The regular-season 3A East champs scored a pair of goals in the first 20 minutes to open a 2-0 lead before the Panthers settled in to hold Buffalo scoreless for the remainder of the contest. Powell goalie McKenzie Danforth turned away 20 Buffalo shots on goal in the contest. “We played some of the best defense we have all year, especially in the second half,” said Hammond. “Buffalo went on to play in the championship game. They were a very good team.”The opening-round loss threw the Panthers into the consolation half of the bracket where they faced Newcastle on Friday. The teams battled to a scoreless draw for more than 70 minutes before Newcastle caught a break with approximately seven minutes to play to score the game's only goal.“McKenzie made a stop on one of their shot attempts, but the ball bounced right to the foot of another of their players and she stuck it in the net for a goal,” Hammond said of the game's only tally. “Both teams had chances throughout the contest. It came down to they caught a break when they needed it and we didn't.”The Panthers graduate 10 seniors, but only two starters from their 2009 roster. With nine returning starters slated to be back in uniform next year, Hammond is optimistic for the future. “We have a good number of kids scheduled to go to camps over the summer,” said Hammond. “That's a big thing for us. We can't be a March-to-May team that doesn't touch the ball again. I'm pleased with how far we came from the start of the year, but we need that summer play or else we're going to be re-learning the same things next spring.”

Soccer falls short in consolation game

Jackson Hole won the rubber game of the season 3-0 over Powell, denying the Panthers the consolation trophy at the 2009 3A boys' state soccer tournament in Sheridan. The loss ends Powell's season at 9-8-1.

After playing the Broncs down to the wire twice in the regular season — Jackson Hole scored an overtime win in Powell early in the year before the Panthers returned the favor with a 1-0 regulation victory on the road — Powell was upstaged in Sheridan. The Broncs scored once in the first half before tacking on a pair of early second-half goals to claim consolation honors.

The Panthers' offense was held in check for large chunks of the contest as Jackson Hole was able to maintain a constant pressure on the pitch.

The Panthers were relegated to the consolation half of the bracket on Thursday by a 2-1 loss to Lander.

Lander got on the scoreboard first with a goal just past the midpoint of the first half. The Tigers extended their lead to 2-0 with a goal minutes into the second half.

Senior Jordan Brown scored Powell's first state tournament goal midway through the second half, heading home a corner kick. The score breathed a measure of life back into the Panthers' chances, but Lander's defense held a pressing Panther offense out of net for the final 20 minutes to register the win.

Goals weren't nearly as hard to come by on Friday as the Panthers recorded their second lopsided win of the year over Newcastle.

Monte Nickles and Drayson Bratt each scored in the first 20 minutes to lift Powell to a 2-0 lead. Newcastle put itself back in contention with a goal before the half to trail by just a point at intermission.

Powell slammed the door quickly thereafter. Senior Jordan Brown tagged home a goal just minutes into the second half. Jason Rand received credit for a goal less than five minutes later as Newcastle scored into its own net while attempting to clear the ball. The goal moved Powell on top 4-1.

Rand struck again midway through the second half, this time blasting home a shot through the Newcastle defense. Cooper Wise wrapped up the Panther assault with a tally seconds before the referee's whistle brought a stop to the contest.

Eight seniors graduate off the Panther roster for head coach Pat D'Alessandro.

“I have been honored to work with this group and pray that our school's future seniors exhibit the same type of honor and integrity,” said D'Alessandro. “The way they conduct themselves on and off the field, being able to combine the pure competitiveness necessary to compete in a fierce sport like soccer with the balance that there are so many other more important spiritual, family and life issues that exist, makes it a unique group.”

Season ends for PHS girls, shut out at state

The Powell Panthers dropped a pair of games at the 3A girls' state soccer tournament in Sheridan over the weekend. The losses bring the curtain down on a 2-13 season for the squad.

“Going into the state tournament, I wasn't sure how we'd respond,” said Panther head coach Brad Hammond. “We hadn't played well against Pinedale and got blown out by Cody, so it was good to see the way we responded as a team.”

The Panthers opened state tournament play against Buffalo. The regular-season 3A East champs scored a pair of goals in the first 20 minutes to open a 2-0 lead before the Panthers settled in to hold Buffalo scoreless for the remainder of the contest.

Powell goalie McKenzie Danforth turned away 20 Buffalo shots on goal in the contest.

“We played some of the best defense we have all year, especially in the second half,” said Hammond. “Buffalo went on to play in the championship game. They were a very good team.”

The opening-round loss threw the Panthers into the consolation half of the bracket where they faced Newcastle on Friday. The teams battled to a scoreless draw for more than 70 minutes before Newcastle caught a break with approximately seven minutes to play to score the game's only goal.

“McKenzie made a stop on one of their shot attempts, but the ball bounced right to the foot of another of their players and she stuck it in the net for a goal,” Hammond said of the game's only tally. “Both teams had chances throughout the contest. It came down to they caught a break when they needed it and we didn't.”

The Panthers graduate 10 seniors, but only two starters from their 2009 roster. With nine returning starters slated to be back in uniform next year, Hammond is optimistic for the future.

“We have a good number of kids scheduled to go to camps over the summer,” said Hammond. “That's a big thing for us. We can't be a March-to-May team that doesn't touch the ball again. I'm pleased with how far we came from the start of the year, but we need that summer play or else we're going to be re-learning the same things next spring.”