The 2026 Pagosa Springs High School Pirate boys’ soccer season has come to an end earlier than anticipated, but coach Trevor Gian explained he is proud of his team and the way the season ended.
The Pirates played their final game of the season on Friday, Oct. 16, tying Fruita Monument 1-1 to move to 5-5-2 on the season.
When the final regular season rankings were finalized and the playoff bracket was released, the boys were ranked 35th in 3A, just three spots out of a playoff spot.
In the final week of the season, Gian tried to schedule one final game to give the boys one last chance to move into the playoff picture. Unfortunately, a multitude of issues, including historic flooding in Pagosa Springs, left the Pirates without a game in the final week of the regular season.
Even though the season ended rather abruptly, Gian held one final practice with the boys on Monday, Oct. 26, to wrap the season up.
Gian emphasized that this season has thrown a lot of things their way — a canceled tournament early in the season, lots of injuries and historic flooding at the end of the year — but through it all the boys have responded well all year.
“[I’m] very proud of the response of our team,” Gian said. “That’s been a big message. I think every time I talk to you, our response has been phenomenal. And the season sort of showcases that, right? [In] a different year, I think it would look different. We had a great team. We have great players.”
This year’s team featured a group of five seniors. Sebastian Coba, Jonathan Rodriguez, Bryant Sanchez, Ryder King and Connor Kirkham all played their final game as Pirates, but their impact will be felt for years to come, emphasized Gian.
“It’s that leadership that comes with being a senior,” he said. “Having been through it as a freshman, sophomore and junior, and then seeing the seniors before them, seeing the people that have kind of led in that spot previously, and knowing my expectations of leadership, and they meant everything. They just keep perspective in a sense and they lead by example.”
The small group of graduating seniors means that next year’s team will feature a host of returning players who are excited to step up.
The junior class specifically is a class that has the potential to make a real impact on the field next year, emphasized Gian.
“I’m really excited to see this junior class,” said Gian. “It’s going to be a big class. I’m really excited to see them step up next year. [I] love what I saw from the freshmen and the sophomores this year, as well. I think the sky’s the limit. I’ve got very high expectations for next year.”
Even though this year ended sooner than expected, Gian emphasized that nothing that happened would be possible without the help of his assistant coach and managers.
Assistant coach Dyan Rice and team managers Italia Pereyra, Laykyn Baxstrom and Madelynn Mathis were all big parts of this year’s team, noted Gian.
Gian and the rest of his staff will host the team banquet on Friday, Nov. 6, and all-conference selections will be made in the coming weeks.
“I mean, it’s just such a great group of players,” said Gian. “Couldn’t be more proud.”
jsellner@orourkemediagroup.com
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