McCray goal snaps scoreless streakSophomore Molly McCray's early goal against Rock Springs on Saturday provided the Powell Panthers with a needed boost of confidence, but wasn't enough to lift the team into the win column. The Panthers fell 4-1 to the Tigers just one day after dropping a 2-0 decision to Worland. Both games were played in Worland. “We have come a very long way in four games and I am very excited about where this team is heading,” said Panther head coach Brad Hammond. McCray's goal was the first since the season opener for the Panther girls and also gave Powell an early lead in Saturday's contest. Powell's advantage lasted for almost 10 minutes before Rock Springs took advantage of an inadvertant hand ball in the penalty area by the Panthers. The Tigers converted the penalty kick to knot the scoreboard at 1-1. Rock Springs added another goal four minutes later for a 2-1 halftime lead. The Tigers' other two goals came late in the contest against a Panther defense that was gambling to push players forward in search of a tying shot. “Our entire defense — Maddy Jones, Jessica Curtis, Heather Monk, Leslie Thronburg and Kelsey Wardwell) played very well,” said Hammond. “Kelsey was ill during the game, so the others had to step up and I thought they did.”Against Worland, the Panthers misfired on a couple of set corner kicks early in the first half against the Warriors. Worland was able to score just before intermission on a tight-angle shot that slipped between a Panther defender and goal keeper McKenzie Danforth. The Warriors' other goal came in the final minutes of the second half, again as the Panthers pushed players forward for extra pressure at the offensive end. “This was McKenzie's best game of the year in goal,” said Hammond. “She has really started to understand her role as a goal keeper and is only going to get better.”The Panthers' offense also enjoyed its best weekend of the season to date. Powell was able to take pressure off its back line by increasing its possession time in the offensive half of the field. “Our forwards are improving daily,” said Hammond. “Katie Kipp and Shelby Willis keep working hard and the goals are going to come. I thought Taylor Swenson and Kristi Mingus played very well on outside midfield, along with Molly and Leigh Bush in the middle.”Like the boys, the Panther girls were scheduled for a make-up game against Pinedale in Riverton on Monday. The team will get another shot at Worland this weekend. “Our improvement on ball skills and movement throughout the field was apparant,” said Hammond. “We get Worland again this weekend and I know the girls, and coach, want to win that one badly.”

McCray goal snaps scoreless streak

Sophomore Molly McCray's early goal against Rock Springs on Saturday provided the Powell Panthers with a needed boost of confidence, but wasn't enough to lift the team into the win column. The Panthers fell 4-1 to the Tigers just one day after dropping a 2-0 decision to Worland.

Both games were played in Worland.

“We have come a very long way in four games and I am very excited about where this team is heading,” said Panther head coach Brad Hammond.

McCray's goal was the first since the season opener for the Panther girls and also gave Powell an early lead in Saturday's contest. Powell's advantage lasted for almost 10 minutes before Rock Springs took advantage of an inadvertant hand ball in the penalty area by the Panthers. The Tigers converted the penalty kick to knot the scoreboard at 1-1.

Rock Springs added another goal four minutes later for a 2-1 halftime lead. The Tigers' other two goals came late in the contest against a Panther defense that was gambling to push players forward in search of a tying shot.

“Our entire defense — Maddy Jones, Jessica Curtis, Heather Monk, Leslie Thronburg and Kelsey Wardwell) played very well,” said Hammond. “Kelsey was ill during the game, so the others had to step up and I thought they did.”

Against Worland, the Panthers misfired on a couple of set corner kicks early in the first half against the Warriors.

Worland was able to score just before intermission on a tight-angle shot that slipped between a Panther defender and goal keeper McKenzie Danforth.

The Warriors' other goal came in the final minutes of the second half, again as the Panthers pushed players forward for extra pressure at the offensive end.

“This was McKenzie's best game of the year in goal,” said Hammond. “She has really started to understand her role as a goal keeper and is only going to get better.”

The Panthers' offense also enjoyed its best weekend of the season to date. Powell was able to take pressure off its back line by increasing its possession time in the offensive half of the field.

“Our forwards are improving daily,” said Hammond. “Katie Kipp and Shelby Willis keep working hard and the goals are going to come. I thought Taylor Swenson and Kristi Mingus played very well on outside midfield, along with Molly and Leigh Bush in the middle.”

Like the boys, the Panther girls were scheduled for a make-up game against Pinedale in Riverton on Monday. The team will get another shot at Worland this weekend.

“Our improvement on ball skills and movement throughout the field was apparant,” said Hammond. “We get Worland again this weekend and I know the girls, and coach, want to win that one badly.”