The Powell High School boys’ soccer team spent much of the season proving to naysayers that their status as one of the top teams in 3A was no fluke.
That need to show they belonged led the …
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The Powell High School boys’ soccer team spent much of the season proving to naysayers that their status as one of the top teams in 3A was no fluke.
That need to show they belonged led the Panthers (13-5-1) on an improbable run through the 3A State Tournament in Jackson this weekend. They won their first two games in identical 1-0 fashion and advanced to Saturday's title game for the first time in program history.
Against top-ranked and undefeated Worland, however, the underdogs weren’t the only team with something to prove. Looking to close out a season for the ages, the Warriors (19-0) capped their undefeated campaign with a 2-0 win over upstart Powell, securing their second straight state title.
The Panthers played hard and created opportunities, but were unable to convert, falling to the Warriors for the fourth time this year; it was a somber end to an otherwise extraordinary season under new head coach Dave Gilliatt.
“We told the kids after the game they had nothing to hang their heads about,” said PHS assistant coach Russ Schwann. “This team is not finished, they have a lot of soccer left to play together. Today we were knocking on the door; next year we knock it down.”
Both teams came prepared to play, with neither able to gain an advantage for much of the first half. Worland finally broke the stalemate with 11 minutes left in the half, when Andrew Edholm redirected a corner kick for the first score of the game.
The Warriors scored an insurance goal in the game’s 48th minute, a header from Luke Mortimer off a corner kick by Rudy Sanford.
With plenty of time left, the Panthers continued to play hard to the whistle. But Konnor Macy proved up to the task in net for the Warriors, turning away shot after shot to secure the win.
Despite the loss, it was the best state finish in Panther soccer history; the team's previous best had been a consolation title in 2011.