Powell High School girls’ soccer coach Jack Haire knew going into Friday’s game against visiting Riverton that his would be the faster team.

Against the Lady Wolverines (0-3), Powell proved exactly that. Bolstered by the return of three starters, the Lady Panthers (2-1) controlled the action throughout, maintaining the lion’s share of possession and creating better scoring opportunities in a 3-1 win.

“We’re really happy with where we’re at and how we’re looking,” Haire said. “It was nice to see the team together and play hard against a tough Riverton team. They’re not an easy team, by any means.”

Riverton jumped out to an early 1-0 lead, scoring at the 34:03 mark. But PHS’ Kayla Kolpitcke, playing in her first game of the season, tied the game at the midway point of the first half. Michele Wagner’s shot on goal was deflected by the Riverton goalie back out to Kolpitcke, who buried the rebound for the score.

“To have Kayla Kolpitcke back as that fast, talented option up the middle, it seemed to fit well,” Haire said. “She is so fun to watch. She’s quite a pleasure to coach; she’s a good person.”

For Kolpitcke, there’s no place she’d rather be than on the field.

“It was amazing; it’s good to be back,” said Kolpitcke, who missed the first two games of the season because of hockey obligations. “When they scored first, we were like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’ve got to win this.’ We came back, and the whole team was working really well together.”

Having been denied a goal just minutes earlier, Wagner made good on her next attempt, finding the back of the net with 18:31 to play in the first half, giving the Lady Panthers a 2-1 lead. Wagner’s shown a knack for being in the right place at the right time this season — a trait she doesn’t come by accidentally, according to her coach.

“Michele [Wagner] is kind of the nucleus there at her center-mid position,” Haire said. “It’s very important at that position to be talented with the ball, as well as aggressive and unselfish. Michele fits that quite well. She’s a blessing for me to have on my team.”

The second half saw Powell pick up where it left off, controlling the action and constantly attacking the offensive zone. Senior Jaya Smith completed the Lady Panthers’ scoring with 13:16 left in the game, catching Riverton’s keeper out of position for the insurance goal.

“That goal was so great to see,” Haire said. “We have been working on those shots to the corner of the post to catch the keeper like that. And Jaya [Smith] is just so stinkin’ talented, and so aggressive and so fast. ... I’m expecting big things from her, as well as the rest of the front three.”

Kolpitcke agreed, adding that being on the field with Wagner and Smith is almost second nature.

“Me, Jaya [Smith] and Michele [Wagner] have a really good lineup,” Kolpitcke said. “We know how each other are going to move, we understand how each other plays. We’ve been working all week, focusing on beating this team.”

The early goal by Riverton notwithstanding, the Lady Panthers were stellar defensively, shutting down charge after charge by the Lady Wolverines quickly and efficiently. Sadie Hogan, Jalie Timmons, Yessica Carrasco and Joey Haire anchored the defense and did an “outstanding job.”

“Our defense is well-rounded, as well,” Haire said. “Right now, we’re still pretty healthy, and the girls are aggressively fast. Communication seems to be working well with that defense, and I’m super-excited with where we’re sitting.”

Goalkeeping duties were split for the Riverton contest, with Sydney Olsen taking the first half and Melynda Davison minding the net in the second. Haire was pleased with the play of both, saying that having a pair of quality keepers is a good problem to have.

“Sydney [Olsen] came in like a veteran and played a great first half,” Haire said. “I know she was disappointed when I made the change to Melynda Davison in the second half, but I wanted to give them both some experience against a good, quality team before we get deeper into the season. I have confidence in both.”

Up next for Powell is a game at Worland today (Tuesday). The Lady Warriors — ranked No. 2 in Class 3A in the season’s first WyoPreps.com coaches and media poll — are 1-1 on the season.

“Worland is good,” Haire said, adding, “They’re just simply good. I think they finished second at state last year, and they put a hammering on us last year. We’re not going to let them hammer us this year — we’re going to do all we can to win the game.”

Tribune photo by Carla Wensky