Two high scoring second halves on the road saw the Powell Panther girls’ soccer team fall short, losing to Green River 4-3 in a shootout following a 3-3 regular time scoreline on Friday and falling 2-1 to Lander on Saturday where all three goals came in a two-minute span.

GREEN RIVER 3, POWELL 3 (4-3 SO)

Looking to carry momentum from the previous weekend of dominant wins, the Panthers (5-5 overall, 3-3 3A West) were hoping to avenge an earlier season loss to the Wolves (4-2 overall, 2-1 3A West).

Chances came often in the first half but neither team found the back of the net and it was deadlocked 0-0 going into the half. 

“The Green River game was tough because we had dominated so much of the game yet were unable to score,” coach Danny Agee said. “It can be hard to stay focused when the other team jumps ahead late like that knowing we had our chances.”

Green River got on the board first after a strong solo run from midfield all the way to the 6-yard box got past the Panthers to make it 1-0 just three minutes into the half.

Powell got its answer five minutes later, when Coy Erickson rifled in a shot from the edge of the box over the keepers’ head to tie it at 1-1. 

The Wolves reclaimed the lead 15 minutes later, after a shot ricocheted in off the near post, bouncing just across the line and restoring the lead 2-1. 

The lead grew to 3-1, with the Panthers needing goals late. 

Ivy Agee responded, scoring with a solo run of her own minutes later. 

She picked up the ball at the opposing 35, beat two midfielders before weaving through the Wolves defense and making it a 3-2 game. 

Powell tied it up with just minutes to go, when a dangerous free kick from Agee found the back of the net and made it 3-3.

That led to the contest going to shots from the mark, with Powell falling after a strong save by the Green River keeper in the extra rounds made the final scoreline 4-3 in the shootout.

“I am proud of them for pushing hard until the end to get the point for the tie,” coach Agee said. “We have gotten a few opportunities to work on shootouts which is a good and bad thing. This past one was our best attempt and so we are making progress. Getting to practice them will only make us stronger and this time around we took it to extra shooters, the keeper made a great save.”

LANDER 2, POWELL 1

Hoping to rebound on Saturday, the Panthers hopped over the mountain to Lander to take on the Tigers (5-1 overall, 5-0 3A West).

A battle in the first half saw neither team find the back of the net as it was tied 0-0 at the break. 

Lander cracked through first, scoring on a corner kick eight minutes into the second half to make it 1-0. 

Powell almost immediately responded, scoring a minute later. 

Agee found her way through and out muscled a defender to slide the ball into the back of the net and tie it 1-1 with 31 minutes to play.

The scoring spree wasn’t over.

The Tigers found their way behind the Panther defense just 30 seconds later, putting a second into the back of the net and making it 2-1.

“The tough thing was in the second half we had a player out hurt and so we had to change slightly from what we had been working, and Lander was able to get a couple goals,” coach Agee said. “I think the ladies did well and both goals were scrum goals and could have gone either way.”

Powell had its opportunities throughout the second half, but was unable to find an equalizer and fell by the 2-1 scoreline.

“We had our chances to tie late and their keeper made a game-winning save,” coach Agee said.

SECOND HALF OF CONFERENCE

The Panthers will remain in Park County the remainder of the regular season, only playing one more road contest at Cody next week while playing the bulk of their remaining games at home.

That will start at 4 p.m. on Friday with the Panthers welcoming Lander to town for the return leg.

“Our last game we stayed focused and played as a team and we were in the game the entire time,” coach Agee said. “I just want us to keep that going into our next game and we will have a great opportunity to win. Lander is a solid team and 2-1 is not a bad result, especially considering how much we controlled the game.”

Powell will then take on Pinedale (1-9 overall, 0-6 3A West) at 10 a.m. on Saturday before heading to Cody (6-1 overall, 5-1 3A West) at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

“I believe the toughest thing with any team is staying focused and not getting bothered by the little things that may not go our way,” coach Agee said.

Powell currently sits in third in the 3A West with 10 points, behind Lander and Cody which both have 15 but just ahead of Green River, Mountain View and Lyman which all have six points.