After emerging victorious in their first two games of the season, the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys soccer team lost to Alamosa 3-0 on Aug. 29.
The Panthers wasted little time in getting back to there winning ways however, as M-CHS stormed past Bayfield 6-1 on Sept. 2.
Opening M-CHS’s scoring versus Bayfield was senior Alex Fernandez, who, after collecting a pass from senior Taren Lanier inside the box, banged the ball into the left side of the net to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead seven minutes into the game.
A breach of concentration on the part of the Panthers defense less than one minute later allowed Bayfield’s Grant Pierce to break free and tie the game, 1-1.
Not rattled by Bayfield’s goal however, the Panthers generated numerous scoring opportunities over the next 20-plus minutes and pulled ahead 2-1 in the game’s 28th minute on a goal by sophomore Manual Martinez.
M-CHS maintained that lead for the remainder of the first half before pulling ahead 3-1 early in the second half thanks to a 30-yard blast from well outside the goalie box by Lanier.
“I just had a lot of space and I knew the sun was in the keeper’s eyes,” said Lanier. “I figured I’d give it a shot.”
The Panthers extended their lead to 4-1 in the 50th minute after Fernandez shook his defender along the end line, dribbled towards the net and sent a perfect crossing pass to Martinez, who chipped his second goal of the game into the left side of the net.
“I saw (Fernandez) needed help and he had beaten the defender,” said Martinez. “I made a run and got (the ball) in.”
Six minutes later, Martinez scored his third goal of the game, chipping the ball over the outstretched arms of Bayfield goalie Ben Young.
After Panthers goalie Bridger Brenner made a spectacular save on Bayfield breakaway in the 72nd minute, the Panthers capped off their scoring with a goal by Lanier in the 75th minute.
Shortly after the game, Panthers head coach Sean Fitzgerald discussed what he enjoyed most about his team’s win.
“We’re playing to feet,” said Fitzgerald. “We’re playing on the ground and we’re not playing kick ball anymore.”
With their record now at 3-1-0 on the season, the Panthers are preparing to face off against Crested Butte on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. The game will take place in Cortez.
“(Crested Butte) is going to be a lot better,” said Lanier. “If we do what we did today, we’ll be good.”