In Powell High School boys’ soccer team’s first game since 2019, it took time for the Panthers to find a rhythm. In the road match against Buffalo on Saturday, PHS struggled to play its own style of soccer and was unable to convert on offensive chances.

“It was kind of an adrenaline dump in the first half,” head coach David Gilliatt said. 

Though Gilliatt admitted the first part of the game seemed like an eternity, the Panthers found the back of the net just 15 minutes in. Hawkin Sweeney scored a 16th-minute goal, giving his team an early advantage. 

Following the goal, PHS began to play to its own style, eventually winning 3-0. 

“We’ve been building up for two years now, so getting a goal in active play early on relieved two years of pressure,” Gilliatt said. “Getting a lead just changes the dynamic of the game.”

Sweeney scored another goal in the later stages of the contest, earning man of the match honors. Jesse Trotter also scored for the Panthers in the second half. 

Defensively, Garrett Morris was Gilliatt’s defensive standout. As the holding midfielder, Morris “did a great job of stifling Buffalo’s counterattacks,” the coach said. Gilliatt also noted strength from his center midfielders — Lane Franks, Gunnar Erickson and Sam Bauer — whose group cohesion was a “highlight.”

The Panthers also excelled on the press, something Gilliatt has stressed in the first few weeks of 2021 practice. He said the team did well cutting off Buffalo passes, displaying strong chemistry as a team. 

Though the Panthers cruised to the three-goal win, the coach said he “wasn’t satisfied with the overall scoreline.” 

“I was happy with the result, but there were some things highlighted that we need to work on,” Gilliatt said. “We need to get better at finishing our chances.”

Gilliatt admitted the margin could’ve likely been larger, but the coach is pleased that the opening performance got rid of some of the team’s nerves. 

“It was a good experience,” he said. “There were a lot of nerves I didn’t know that we had. It was our first game in two years, so it’s good that we got those out of the way.”

Powell heads across the county today (Tuesday) for a match against Cody. The Broncs have yet to play a game in 2021, which Gilliatt thinks could play into the Panthers’ favor.

“We’re going into it with an advantage,” Gilliatt said. “We just need to play our game. It’s been two years since we’ve seen Cody, so we don’t really know what they have going on.”

Powell 3, Buffalo 0

Goals — Hawkin Sweeney 2, Jesse Trotter 1;

Assists — Sam Bauer 1, Steven Stambaugh 1