Three years of work and preparation led to a huge moment for the Powell Middle School boys’ soccer program last Thursday, as the Cubs salvaged a late 2-2 draw in their first ever official game against visiting Worland.

Wind and colder conditions led both teams to try and find different ways to break down defenses with and without the wind.

Worland got on the board first, finding the back of the net with 19 minutes left in the first half.

Despite both teams finding opportunities to attack and creating chances, that lead held for the Braves heading into the half.

Out of the break Powell had the wind at its back, finding even more attacking opportunities against the Braves.

“I told the guys at halftime, ‘it’s not 100-0, it’s 1-0,’” coach Justin Waterworth said.

Braxton Batt capped off a strong individual run with a ball that slotted under the Worland keeper to tie the game 1-1 just three minutes into the second half.

Both teams found opportunities to attack, but Worland reclaimed its lead just over the midway point of the half.

With 13 minutes left the Braves took a 2-1 lead, and Powell scrambled to find a late equalizer.

Cody Fisher came to the rescue for the Cubs, firing a long-distance shot over the Worland keeper to tie the game with eight minutes left.

“That had to be 30 yards out and he tucked it into the corner like a professional,” Waterworth said. “A lot of people will think he got lucky but he meant that 100%.”

Worland pressed the Cubs, and the Cubs found their own opportunities late, but neither team was able to find a winner and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Now that Cubs soccer is an official school sport, Waterworth said he and girls’ coach Stan Hedges sat down with the Powell High School coaches to see what they want the program to work on throughout the season.

“Now that we are officially sanctioned, we sat down with Danny Agee and Dave Gilliatt and talked about what they need from us,” Waterworth said. “It’s simple stuff like first touch, accurate, crisp passing, decent shooting, field awareness and basic defense. Soccer programs require that kind of communication to be successful and we will hopefully carry that on through the years to come.”

SEASON CONTINUES

The season is scheduled to continue for the Cubs on Thursday (today) at 4:30 p.m. with a home game against Riverton.

“We wanna fix up some defensive holes and work on communication,” Waterworth said. “Riverton is a strong defensive team and they have great individual dribbling skills, so we will shore that up and be ready. I want to press the attack and get the early goal and keep momentum rather than fight for it later in the game.”

The week doesn’t stop there, as the Cubs head down to Worland on Saturday to host a contest at 12:30 p.m. against Rawlins.

Waterworth said he wants the team to finish early and often, since this may be the last game for the Cubs against Rawlins in middle school now that Lander has a program.