Girls drop another one-goal game

Posted 4/10/14

The loss to Cody comes three days after another 3-2 defeat at the hands of Worland. And as frustrating as both losses might be, Powell (0-4, 0-2 in Northwest) head coach Isaac Reyesmejia sees the bright side, even without a “W.”

“Sometimes …

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Girls drop another one-goal game

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Winless but competitive Panthers prepare for Worland Invite

Too bad this isn’t horseshoes.

The Powell High School girls’ soccer team lost 3-2 to Cody Monday afternoon, and have now lost three games (plus a forfeit) by a total of four goals.

The loss to Cody comes three days after another 3-2 defeat at the hands of Worland. And as frustrating as both losses might be, Powell (0-4, 0-2 in Northwest) head coach Isaac Reyesmejia sees the bright side, even without a “W.”

“Sometimes it just takes time,” Reyesmejia said. “There’s a lot of different factors that probably play into (the losses) but I’m proud of the girls because they’re sticking with.”

Monday’s game might have been Powell’s best team performance.

“We were in it from the beginning,” Reyesmejia said. “We weren’t down in the second half, we were right there with them. It’s not like Cody went up 2-0 or 3-0.”

Powell trailed Worland by two goals before tying the game midway through the second half.

“We’re definitely competing with every team,” Reyesmejia said. “We’re five plays away from it all coming together.

“Every game for us has been a step closer to where we need to be.”

The first-year coach also commended his players for their effort.

“Our girls, they’re fighters,” he said. “They’re going to push themselves all the way through the game until the whistle blows and we’re out of time.”

Seniors Haley Wichman and Shelby Nicholson scored for the Panthers, who have not netted more than two goals since their season-opening 3-2 overtime win that was nullified for a coach’s violation.

Wichman scored on a long header from 21 yards out that she was able to redirect over the charging Cody keeper.

“That header was beautiful,” Reyesmejia said. “Those are the types of scoring opportunities we can create.”

Reyesmejia believes Nicholson’s play on the outside will ultimately help elevate Powell’s offense to where it needs to be.

“She can create a lot more offense for us being on that wing,” the coach said. “I’m definitely happy with where I have her right now.”

Reyesmejia said he wants his team to stay aggressive because good things happen when “you go after goals.”

The Panthers hope to turn things around when they travel to the Worland Invitational for Friday and Saturday games.

Powell will play Riverton and Star Valley on Friday and then the host Warriors on Saturday.

“There’s still a lot of things we need to work on,” said Reyesmejia, who is determined to “have a good practice (Wednesday) and Thursday and get ready for this tournament.”

The practices will be the coach’s last chance to evaluate his goalkeeping, which hasn’t performed up to expectations so far this season, and a change may be in order.

“Right now I’m looking at that,” Reyesmejia said. “I’ve discussed it with coach (Emily) Schwahn and with the team and with both of the goalies.”

Junior Sonya Montanez began the season as the team’s starter but was pulled after committing a penalty against Worland. Freshman Gabby Hirsch came in and impressed Reyesmejia with her aggressive nature, though her inexperience also showed at times.

“Both bring different things to that position,” Reyesmejia said. “The best player is going to play and the individual that is going to get this team the best chance to win is who needs to be out there.

(The keeper is) a big leader on the team,” he said. “You’re talking to that entire defense. When the defense is backpedaling you have the best view of the entire field.”

The coach said the Cody and Worland games played a big role in forming his opinion about the future of PHS net-minding, but a final decision won’t be made until after this week’s practices.

“We’ll see what that looks like come Friday (and) we’ll see who’s going to start in goal,” he said.

 

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