Playing at home against Pagosa Springs on Sept. 26, the Montezuma-Cortez High School boys soccer team lost its third overtime game in as many tries, falling 2-1 to the Pirates.
Throughout a competitive first half, the Panthers and Pirates went toe-to-toe as the game remained scoreless thanks in part to M-CHS goalie Bridger Brenner, who made two difficult saves.
“The first half was good,” said Panthers coach Sean Fitzgerald. “We were playing to feet. I like to see it. We just couldn’t finish our opportunities.”
The Panthers did convert an opportunity in the 45th minute when Taryn Lanier broke free of the Pagosa defense, dribbled into the box, faked a left-footed shot and chipped a right-footed shot into the right corner of the net to put M-CHS ahead 1-0.
In the 55th minute, the Panthers nearly scored again when a hard shot by Manuel Martinez was stopped by Pagosa goalie Briar Erskine, who dove to his right to make a nice save.
After a defensive breakdown by M-CHS in the 60th minute allowed Pagosa’s Josue Castaneda to tie the game, 1-1, the game advanced to overtime.
Five minutes into overtime, the M-CHS defense broke again as Pagosa’s James Berndt split two defenders and shot the ball past Brenner for the winner.
“It was another mistake that should not happen from our back line,” said Fitzgerald after the game. “Our back line should know.”
“On the last goal, he split us, and he was just faster than we were,” said M-CHS defender Steven Foster of the play.
The Panthers dropped to 5-5-0, while Pagosa improved to 6-2.
Next up for the Panthers will be a home matchup against Alamosa at 4 p.m.
“We need to talk a little bit more,” said Foster of his team’s goals for the upcoming game. “We’ve been playing well. Now we just have to finish.”
Fans are encouraged to wear pink to help raise breast cancer awareness.