The Powell Panther boys’ soccer team is now on a three game shootout streak after splitting road matchups with Bridger Valley competition. Powell defeated Mountain View 4-2 in a shootout on Friday but lost to Lyman 5-4 on Saturday after both contests were 1-1 after full time.

POWELL 1, MOUNTAIN VIEW 1 (4-2 SO)

Hoping to carry momentum from a home win on Tuesday, the Panthers (5-3 overall, 3-1 3A West) took on the Buffalos (2-3 overall, 2-3 3A West) in Mountain View.

Windy conditions played a factor early in the contest, with the Buffalos taking advantage and finding an early goal.

A turnover in the back line was converted quickly, as a shot rifled in off the far post into the back of the net and gave Mountain View a 1-0 lead just five minutes into the game.

Both teams continued to battle with a torrent wind, with goalkeeper Ryan Rivas holding the Buffalos away from doubling their lead.

“Mountain View has worked hard to really improve their program and their coach and players have done a good job at doing that,” coach David Gilliatt said.

Powell had its chances as well, but was unable to find an equalizer in the first half and went into the break trailing 1-0.

“Honestly, it could’ve been 3-0 or 4-0 at the end of the first half. We were fortunate to end the first half 1-0. Ryan was a huge part of keeping us in that game,” Gilliatt said.

Early in the second half things turned from bad to worse with the weather, as snow started falling and affected play even more.

Powell got its equalizing goal from Ethan Frame just before the midway point of the second half, with a shot finding its way in at the far post after a strong through ball from Will Jackson found its mark.

Neither team found a winning goal the rest of the way, taking the contest to a shootout for the second game in a row for the Panthers.

Powell was able to escape once again, earning a 4-2 victory and moving to 3-0 in conference action.

“We had a couple key injuries to our team in the first half which also made it a little more challenging to turn things around,” Gilliatt said. “Ethan had an important goal with an assist from Will that tied up the game for us. Having Truett Carter in goal, we felt pretty confident we would come out on top after the shootout.”

LYMAN 1, POWELL 1 (5-4 SO)

The bad weather persisted on Saturday, with wind once again playing a factor against the Eagles (1-6 overall, 1-3 3A West).

“It was absolutely terrible weather with snow and wind on Friday and strong winds on Saturday,” Gilliatt said. “But both teams were playing in the same weather so there really is no excuse for letting it affect our game. It’s good to have that experience early on and I hope that we can have it affect us less in the future.”

Powell took the lead in the first half after Jackson fired a corner across the frame of goal, which was deflected in off an Eagle for an own goal to give Powell the 1-0 lead with 10 minutes left in the half.

That lead held until halftime, but Lyman got its equalizer in the second half.

A long shot from the Eagles was affected by the wind, swerving into the back of the net three minutes into the half.

“Their goal was more of a kick and pray shot and the wind pushed the ball over Ryan who was honestly positioned well,” Gilliatt said. “We had chances to win the game in regular time but failed to threaten much in the attacking third.”

Both teams held off any chance of a winner the remainder of the half, as Powell went to a third straight shootout in a week.

Lyman led early, after making its first two and Powell having its second shot saved.

Powell made its third, and Lyman missed to make the scoreline even.

Both teams made the next two rounds of shots, sending it to a sixth round with it being sudden death from that point forward.

The Panthers had their shot saved, and the Eagles made theirs to get the 5-4 shootout win.

“It was a really difficult game for me as a coach because our guys played so far below their current ability,” Gilliatt said. “Hopefully we can learn from our mistakes and bounce back from them. Great win for Lyman, and they deserved to win.”

LAST MAJOR ROAD TRIP

Powell will head back out on the road this weekend, making its final big road trip of the season before staying in Park County the remainder of the year.

That trip will start in Green River, taking on the Wolves (3-1 overall, 1-0 3A West) at 5 p.m. on Friday.

The Panthers then head back over the mountain, taking on Lander (2-1 overall, 2-0 3A West) at noon on Saturday.

“I think we have the ability to compete with anyone in the state, but our results will really depend on how hard we work, and how clearly we execute our game plan,” Gilliatt said. “We still have a lot of untapped potential, and part of my job as the coach is getting my guys to believe it’s there. To change our self perception and see themselves bigger than they see themselves. For these coming away games, I will closely observe practice and play the guys who work the hardest and follow instructions this week.”