Powell soccer got its’ seasons started late last week and, unfortunately, took losses to Jackson Thursday and Star Valley on Friday.

The girls were defeated 8-0 by the defending 3A State champion Lady Broncs, with the boys dropping an 8-1 match to Jackson, which has won the last three 3A State championships.

“Our inexperience showed defensively and we had some breakdowns,” Panther boys head coach Travis Rapp said. “We did get a score on a great free kick from Trey Ouellette. He curved it around the wall they set up and the goalkeeper didn’t even see it until it was too late.

“It’s a loss to a great program, but that’s what I want, to play the best to make us better,” Rapp added. “I’m hoping if we have a couple of good seasons in a row, we’ll be able to schedule some more 4A teams to play during the season to really test us and make us stronger.”

Friday morning’s girls match against the Star Valley Braves kicked off in crisp, snowy conditions, with a few handfuls of faithful fans bundled and huddled up in the bleachers.

With the field blanketed in white and flurries falling, the Lady Panthers battled the Braves and kept things a scoreless tie at the midway point of the opening half.

Star Valley was able to knock one into the net in the 23rd minute, however, and added one six minutes later for a 2-0 lead at intermission.

Six minutes into the second half, the lead went to 3-0 on a Star Valley Braves free kick that caught Powell unexpected.

“That was a lesson learned,” head coach Jack Haire said afterward. “We were waiting for the official’s whistle for her to make the kick, but as soon as the ball was set, their player kicked it and they got a score. We’ll be aware of that next time.”

Another score in the 63rd minute made it a 4-0 game and a goal in the final minute provided for the final, 5-0 margin.

“That last goal was on me,” Haire said to his players after the game. “I made some defensive substitutions to get some girls some experience and (Star Valley) got a goal. With that, and the free kick, it’s really a 3-0 game against a very good program. We played the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams right out of the gate and it shows how we need to improve. And we will get better. The scores will be a lot different when we play these teams again.”

The snow had stopped and the field was clear by the time the boys match got underway, and while the Panthers took a 2-0 loss, it was a marked improvement in the quick turnaround from Thursday’s contest.

“Star Valley is another really good program that is a good test for us,” Rapp said as his players were warming up. “I expect we’ll look a lot better than we did yesterday.”

And that they did, with the defense looking a lot sharper and holding the Braves to the two goals.

The offense couldn’t crack the scoring column, but gave itself plenty of opportunities.

Powell will be back on the practice fields this week and will travel for its next matches Friday at Pinedale.

The girls varsity kicks off at 2 p.m. with the boys match scheduled for 4 p.m.