On Oct. 24, the GHS soccer team wrapped up regular season play in the most electric way possible.
The Cowboys faced off against 3A opponent Delta on the road. A defensive masterclass and late winner catapulted the Cowboys past the Panthers and into a three-game win streak ahead of regional playoffs. The victory cemented the Cowboys regular season overall record at 7-7-1. The team finished second-place in the 2A Western Slope League, just behind Crested Butte, with a 3-2-1 record.
“The kids were psyched with the late win, and it’s exactly the kind of momentum we want heading into the postseason,” said Head Coach Susan Powers. “We finished with three big wins and three shutouts, so huge credit to our defense.”
Hot off a 4-0 victory against league rival Telluride, the Cowboys headed to Delta with a newfound energy on Thursday. The GHS defense had not conceded a goal since Oct. 5, and played through the Panthers press with an inspired confidence.
The match remained deadlocked deep into the second half. But, with 45 seconds left in the game, the Cowboys were awarded a late penalty kick. The Panther keeper came to the rescue and made a surprise save. The ball dribbled out of bounds, but the Cowboys continued to attack the opposition’s goal. A late throw-in pinballed around the box, and Colten Huisman was the first to react. The senior put his laces through the ball, and found the back of the net — giving the Cowboys the lead with 17 seconds on the clock.
The contest ended 1-0 for GHS, and marked the third consecutive clean sheet for the Cowboy defense. Now, the boys will head into the regional playoffs against the 9-6 Colorado Springs Christian Lions on Nov. 1. The matchup marks the first time in program history the Cowboys will enter a postseason matchup as the higher seed.
(Alex McCrindle can be contacted at 970.641.1414 or alex@gunnisontimes.com.)
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