Panther coach thankful to play after long layoffA 26-day layoff for the Powell High School girls soccer team ended last week with losses to Cody, 6-0, and to Jackson, 5-0. The games found the Panthers on the pitch against the state's two top-ranked programs. “We're just glad to be playing again,” said Panther head coach Brad Hammond. “But this was a tough weekend to open up with.”Powell showed many of the signs of being a team that hadn't played in nearly a month against second-ranked Cody. The Panthers surrendered 17 shot opportunities while managing just three. “We came out in the first half really flat and not going after any 50/50 balls or challenging for possession,” said Hammond. “Cody scored about 15 minutes in and didn't stop there.”The Panthers' defensive line of Jontelle Mancuso, Maddy Jones, Jessica Curtis and Kelsey Wardwell found itself under attack throughout much of the game. “We struggled within the midfield,” said Hammond. “Cody pushed more offensive people forward than we could cover. Our defense had a tough job to do.”That defensive unit found itself challenged again on Saturday as top-ranked Jackson rolled into town. The Broncs recorded four first-half goals before the Panthers stiffened to limit the visitors to just one goal in the second half.“We came out with much more intensity and passion,” Hammond said of the game against Jackson. “We knew Jackson was the number one team in the state and we came out to play.”Panther goalkeeper McKenzie Danforth, playing in just her second varsity game at the position, made 11 saves as Powell was outshot by a 15-3 count. “She did a great job against Cody and she made improvements in the Jackson game,” said Hammond. “We have a very young team and we are only going to keep gettng better and better.”The Panthers will look to crack the win column this weekend when the team travels south for a pair of games in Worland. On Friday, the team will face the Warriors. On Saturday, the Panthers will face Rock Springs in a non-conference contest. The team will also head to Riverton on Monday for a neutral site make-up game against Pinedale.

Panther coach thankful to play after long layoff

A 26-day layoff for the Powell High School girls soccer team ended last week with losses to Cody, 6-0, and to Jackson, 5-0. The games found the Panthers on the pitch against the state's two top-ranked programs.

“We're just glad to be playing again,” said Panther head coach Brad Hammond. “But this was a tough weekend to open up with.”

Powell showed many of the signs of being a team that hadn't played in nearly a month against second-ranked Cody. The Panthers surrendered 17 shot opportunities while managing just three.

“We came out in the first half really flat and not going after any 50/50 balls or challenging for possession,” said Hammond. “Cody scored about 15 minutes in and didn't stop there.”

The Panthers' defensive line of Jontelle Mancuso, Maddy Jones, Jessica Curtis and Kelsey Wardwell found itself under attack throughout much of the game.

“We struggled within the midfield,” said Hammond. “Cody pushed more offensive people forward than we could cover. Our defense had a tough job to do.”

That defensive unit found itself challenged again on Saturday as top-ranked Jackson rolled into town. The Broncs recorded four first-half goals before the Panthers stiffened to limit the visitors to just one goal in the second half.

“We came out with much more intensity and passion,” Hammond said of the game against Jackson. “We knew Jackson was the number one team in the state and we came out to play.”

Panther goalkeeper McKenzie Danforth, playing in just her second varsity game at the position, made 11 saves as Powell was outshot by a 15-3 count.

“She did a great job against Cody and she made improvements in the Jackson game,” said Hammond. “We have a very young team and we are only going to keep gettng better and better.”

The Panthers will look to crack the win column this weekend when the team travels south for a pair of games in Worland.

On Friday, the team will face the Warriors. On Saturday, the Panthers will face Rock Springs in a non-conference contest.

The team will also head to Riverton on Monday for a neutral site make-up game against Pinedale.