Cowboy soccer makes program history

In only its fourth year as a varsity program, the GHS boys soccer team advanced past the first round of the playoffs for the first time.

The Cowboys took down the Colorado Springs Christian Lions in a seven-goal thriller on Nov. 1, before falling to Salida in the second round on Nov. 2. The 3-0 defeat eliminated the Cowboys from the playoffs. For Head Coach Susan Powers, who started the varsity program in 2020, the playoff victory proves the boys are moving in the right direction.

“I told the kids at our last practice that being a part of this program, and coaching this group of kids, some since they were only 10, has been one of the great privileges of my life,” Coach Powers said. “It’s been exciting to start something from scratch, and see these kids work towards excellence. I really feel like this is just the beginning.”

The Cowboys found their momentum headed into the playoffs. Despite a tumultuous start to the season — dropping games to league rivals Crested Butte and Telluride — the boys righted the ship in early October. A four-game win streak began against Alamosa, and continued with a 4-0 win over Telluride and 1-0 win against Delta. The Cowboys secured a No. 13 seed, and were favorites in the opening match against the Lions.

Centerbacks Tilden Martinez and Zavier Drendel were crucial in shutting down opposing offenses throughout the win streak. The Cowboy defense notched three consecutive clean sheets last month, and connected possession with the double pivot of Owen Powers and Eli Coop in midfield. The team-oriented play finally started to click, and the Cowboys grew in confidence.

On Friday, the GHS attack came flying out of the gates. In the opening minutes, Coop skipped down the left wing, and whipped a cross to Owen Powers at the six-yard box. The senior captain slotted it home to take a 1-0 lead. The one-goal advantage carried the Cowboys into the break on top.

In the second half, GHS increased its pressure on the Lions’ back line. Coop found the back of the net and doubled the Cowboys’ lead, but the Lions worked their way back into the contest. Within minutes, both a Colorado Springs Christian counterattack and a corner kick proved fruitful, and the Lions equalized 2-2.

The Cowboys remained focused, and junior striker Cesar Marmolejo scored from the penalty spot to take a 3-2 advantage. The Lions once again sprang to life with less than 10 minutes left to play, and forced overtime with a late equalizer.

The late goal deflated the Cowboys bench like a sucker punch, but still, the boys were motivated ahead of overtime.

“I would love to take credit [for motivating the team] but we’ve had stronger leadership on this team than in the past,” Coach Powers said. “We stepped away as coaches, the guys huddled together and had some choice words for one another, and they made it happen.”

GHS dug deep after the break, and attacked the Lions goal with a newfound hunger. Colten Huisman was the man of the moment. Marmolejo flicked a ball into space, and Huisman cut through the back line. The senior blazed down the wing, and buried a one-on-one chance against the keeper. The overtime goal gave the Cowboys their first postseason win in program history, with a final score of 4-3.

“It was cool to see our team come back, keep fighting and get that last goal,” Owen Powers said. “I’m proud of the leaders on this team, not just the captains, but for all the seniors stepping up. It’s so cool to see this program get better every year, but I hope this team carries its work ethic and leadership into next season.”

Despite falling to the Salida Spartans, 3-0, the following day, the playoff run set a huge milestone for the young program. The Cowboys will aim to capitalize next season with a young core, led by seven returning starters.

(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)