Cowboys soccer team ties Salida, falls to Crested Butte

Inconsistent play plagues the Gunnison High School soccer team as they tied Salida early last week and lost to Crested Butte just three days later.

The Cowboys hosted the Spartans on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and the game ended in a 1-1 tie. 

After Salida started the scoring with a goal off a corner kick, the Cowboys got one back later in the first half when Roy Talbert scored off a free kick. Both teams were held scoreless in the second half and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

“We played them a lot before, and the boys showed up mentally ready to play, and technically we were really sound,” said head coach Susan Powers. “[They] just played together as a team really well for the whole entire game, so it was great.”

The game was chippy at moments and Salida’s head coach called Gunnison an intense atmosphere to play in, noting that their student section makes it hard to ever put them away. 

“The crowd energy is fantastic, and the boys just thrive on it, and it was great to have them out there,” said Powers.

Three days later, the Cowboys traveled to Crested Butte to face their in-county rivals. The Titans got the best of the Cowboys on Friday, Sept. 4, winning 3-1.

Unlike the game against Salida, there wasn’t a goal scored in the first half, but in the second the Titans scored three while the Cowboys were only able to manage one goal.

“I feel like coming off of such a strong performance on Tuesday, the kids just let down on Friday,” said Powers. “I don't know, mentally they didn't seem as on it, just made a lot of technical mistakes, just they weren't clicking the way they normally do. So I would say on our end, just a really poorly played game.”

Powers also mentioned that it was the boys’ first game on turf this season which could have played a factor. 

Up next, the Cowboys (1-2-1) will travel for two games later this week. They’ll play at Grand Valley (0-4) on Wednesday, Sept. 9, and at Middle Park (1-1) on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Powers noted that trust amongst her players is essential if the boys want to bounce back this week and get back into the win column.

“I think really the key for us is we know when we play well that we're, you know, an incredibly competitive and solid team,” said Powers. “And then I think showing up and having the mindset to be able to be more consistent than we've been, I think is really the key.”