The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate boys’ soccer team suffered its second defeat and first tie of the season this past week, falling to the Fruita Monument Wildcats by a score of 2-0 on Friday, Oct. 17, and then tying the Bayfield Wolverines 2-2 on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
Despite not coming up with a victory, the 2-2 draw against Bayfield was enough for the Pirates to secure the Intermountain League (IML) title for the second year in a row.
The Pirates now boast an overall record of 10-2-1, including a league mark of 5-0-1, which has them ranked at 24th in the state’s 3A division.
Coach Trevor Gian spoke highly of the Pirates after the draw against Bayfield, which secured the Pirates’ IML title.
“To win the league and do it in the fashion we did, I’m just very proud of this team, the program,” he said, noting that everyone involved, including the junior varsity team, helped contribute.
“I just couldn’t be more proud of who these kids are and what they’ve shown,” he added.
In the match against Bayfield, the Pirates got on the board first with a goal coming in the fifth minute, scored by Ryder King and assisted by Jacob Castaneda.
Castaneda was able to break away into space on the left side, delivering a low cross into the middle of the Wolverines’ penalty box, where King was waiting to tap it in.
Gian explained that, going into the match, the Pirates anticipated things like the crowd or officiating to become a factor, but noted “we controlled what we can control,” expressing praise for the Pirates response throughout the game.
“Really, things get pulled apart in these league games,” he added.
Gavin Carter was issued a yellow card in the 25th minute, with a Bayfield player receiving one earlier in the game.
The Pirates created a few more scoring chances in the first half as the game started to get stretched apart, Gian explained.
The Pirates gave up a penalty kick in the 38th minute, allowing Bayfield to tie it at 1-1 going into halftime.
“There was never a lack of effort,” Gian added, explaining the Pirates never gave up or quit during the match.
The Pirates were able to regain the lead in the 56th minute with another goal by King that went through the Wolverine goalkeeper’s legs from about 20 yards out.
The Pirates gave up another penalty kick in the second half as Milo Deitemeyer was issued a red card for a handball inside the Pirates’ box, from a ball played in by a Bayfield corner kick.
The Wolverines successfully converted the penalty, tying the game again at 2-2 with about 15 minutes remaining.
The last action of the game was a yellow card issued to Chance Ramirez in the 75th minute.
Fruita Monument
“It’s a tough loss for sure, but it wasn’t for lack of effort,” Gian commented in regard to the Pirates’ 2-0 defeat at home against the 5A Fruita Monument Wildcats on Friday, Oct. 17.
According to stats entered into Max Preps, Castaneda had one shot on target, while Ramirez had one shot and King recorded two shot attempts.
The Wildcats were able to go up 1-0 in the first half, and did not score their second goal until there were about 10 minutes remaining in the second half.
“It would’ve been nice to get one early,” Gian said, explaining the Pirates had one of their best scoring chances of the game in the opening minutes.
Gian commented that Fruita’s goals came from great individual efforts, but that the Pirates were not up to their own standards on defense.
“Just two moments in that game we weren’t firing on all cylinders,” he said, explaining that is “kind of how soccer goes,” with just a handful of moments dictating the outcome of the entire game.
Gian also mentioned the style and level of play of the Wildcats is likely going to be similar to what the Pirates may face in the state playoffs.
Gian explained the Pirates came out strong in the second half, creating more offensive chances.
“Again, it wasn’t for a lack of effort,” he said, noting he is proud of how the Pirates responded. “The response was fantastic.”
Gian commented that the loss to Fruita “puts everything back into perspective,” noting it might give the Pirates some hunger back after winning 10 straight games in a row.
“We’re gonna utilize that as motivation and a tool for going forward,” he said, “I’ve got every confidence in them that they’re gonna respond in the right way.”
Gian also mentioned that he “couldn’t be more proud” of the Pirates, showing a strength that can’t be taught by keeping their heads and staying calm when faced with adversity.
Gian described the Pirates as a good group and a good team that have “shown a ton of heart this whole season.”
The Pirates will finish their regular season tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 24, by hosting the Lake County Panthers at Golden Peaks Stadium at 3 p.m., which will be the team’s senior night.
Gian explained the Pirates won’t take the Panthers “lightly,” who are 0-12 on the season, and hope to build momentum going into the first round of playoffs.
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