The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate soccer team picked up back-to-back league wins away from home over the last week, clinching the top spot in the Intermountain League (IML) for the season.
Boasting an overall record of 7-2-3, including a league mark of 4-1-1, the Pirates have secured first place in their league, coach Trevor Gian confirmed on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
The Pirates traveled to Alamosa on Oct. 12 to take on the Alamosa Mean Moose for a second time this season.
The Pirates tied the Mean Moose 1-1 in their first matchup in September, but were able to come away with a 1-0 victory the second time around.
“That was a pretty big win for us, to go on the road over there,” Gian said.
Pagosa got on the scoreboard with about 10 minutes remaining in the first half with a goal from Chance Ramirez, Gian explained.
He noted that the goal came from a quality transition play between Ramirez and Gavin Carter “finding a little bit of two-touch play, give and go’s,” that opened up space for Ramirez to shoot from just inside of Alamosa’s box with a low, back-post shot.
“There were some really good moments in that first half,” Gian said. “We had a lot of really good stuff early going for us in that game.”
Gian mentioned the Pirates wanted to be aggressive early on and convert a scoring chance early in the game.
“For us to find some of that success like that, and find some quality touches, was really awesome,” he added.
Gian also mentioned that multiple freshmen are stepping up and getting experience.
He noted that Hudson Davis is “really playing phenomenal” in the midfield, along with Angel Ramirez, who started as a central midfielder for the Pirates.
Gian mentioned that Angel Ramirez “has really brought a lot the last two games.”
Gian also commented on the efforts from Edgar Castillo and Elmer Castillo, explaining they have both stepped into outside midfielder roles and both have a “natural way about how they play.”
Gian explained that the Pirates had to make some adjustments throughout the game against Alamosa, with Ryder King being unavailable, Alex Pham playing a sweeper position and Jacob Castaneda playing in a central midfield role.
“We’re finding success with people stepping up all over the place,” Gian said.
Gian mentioned that it was a tough game and that Alamosa is a talented team.
“But, I can’t say enough how impressed I am and how proud I am of what we’re doing, with the personnel we’re doing it with,” Gian said.
He went on to explain that the second half against Alamosa turned out to be a fairly physical game, describing it as “intense” and “chippy.”
Gian explained that the game had big implications about who would be in control of winning the IML.
“They needed to win as much as we did,” he said.
Gian mentioned the Pirates made adjustments to get some more pace defensively and tried to settle in for the last 20 minutes to keep Alamosa out of the net.
“Really proud and impressed about how my team responded to that,” Gian said in regard to the physicality of the match, adding, “Our guys did a fantastic job of fighting and staying alive and getting out of it.”
On Oct. 15, the Pirates traveled to Bayfield to face off against the Bayfield Wolverines, also for a second time this season.
The Pirates lost to the Wolverines earlier this month at home by a score of 2-0, but were able to come up with a 1-0 victory this time on the road.
Gian explained that the Pirates were able to come up with a few scoring chances in the first half, noting that “Jacob and Chance up top were working really well.”
Gian also commented that Bayfield was able to find success in the first half by moving the ball along the edges and finding some room for shots.
“It was back and forth the whole way that first half,” Gian said.
Gian noted the Wolverines had a couple of looks from about 20 yards out that either hit the crossbar of the goal or forced a save from Christopher Young-Martinez.
“They’re a pretty quality team,” Gian said of the Wolverines.
After a scoreless first half, the second half started similarly, but the Pirates were able to find a breakthrough with a goal from Carter with 13 minutes remaining, Gian explained.
“Can’t say enough about him ... his play has been phenomenal for us this year,” Gian said of Carter.
Gian explained that Carter’s goal was a “great individual effort,” beating multiple players down the left side and leading to a quality finish.
Gian mentioned the entire game “was a complete team effort,” but noted that Carter “went and handled business” to get his goal and give the Pirates the lead.
Gian noted the Pirates did a good job adjusting defensively in the second half to shut down the Wolverines’ chances from the outside and applied pressure on their defense.
“The fact that we did capitalize on one is the difference,” Gian said in comparison to the Pirates’ first matchup against the Wolverines.
He mentioned the Pirates’ created a bunch of scoring opportunities in the first matchup, but weren’t able to put any of them away.
“This game was pretty similar,” Gian said, adding that the Pirates were able to contest the Wolverines’ shots and apply enough pressure to keep them from scoring.
He added that he felt the Pirates still could have added more goals to make for a more comfortable win.
“We could’ve put quite a few more in,” he said.
Gian also praised his midfielders and attackers for being able to find space behind the Wolverines.
He added that the game was physically intense, but “in the spirit of the game.”
Gian also commented on Young-Martinez’s performance as goalkeeper for the Pirates, noting that “he was a huge asset in goal.”
Gian noted the two wins were important for the Pirates and let them control their destiny in winning the league.
“We wanted to go in and win it,” he said in regard to the game against Bayfield, explaining that a tie would’ve left the Pirates’ hoping for certain results in other matches around the league in order to stay in first place in the IML.
Additional stats for the two games were unavailable as of press time Wednesday.
The Pirates have two regular season games remaining, including hosting Fruita Monument tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 18, at Golden Peaks Stadium at 4 p.m. for senior night.
The next day, on Oct. 19, the Pirates will head to Leadville to play against the Lake County Panthers at 1 p.m.
“We’re riding pretty high on emotion,” Gian said, explaining that the team will likely be keeping practice fairly light and loose.
“We’ve been through a long season already,” he said, noting that the team has “been through the fire now.”
He mentioned that the Pirates are looking to finish out the season on a high note as these last two games give the Pirates a chance to boost their state rankings and earn a high postseason seeding.
Pagosa is currently ranked 17th in the state’s 3A Seeding and Selection Index.
“I’m proud of these guys, the whole team. We’re building something from the ground up,” Gian said.
clayton@pagosasun.com
