Panther soccer players to start eight-game homestand

Panther soccer players to start eight-game homestand

April 5, 2001

STAFF REPORT

DURANGO — Once the team learns that soccer is an 80-minute game and that the first five- to 10-minutes are just as important as the rest of the game, the Panthers’ girls soccer team will do well.

In a game at Grand Junction, the Panthers allowed a couple quick goals and then played catch-up. Against Durango on Tuesday evening, April 4, they gave up two goals in the first 10 minutes and then played well after that despite losing 4-0 in the first Southwest League game of the season.

"Durango is a well coached team and they came out quick, scoring their two first half goals in the first 10 minutes of the half," Montezuma-Cortez High School first-year head coach Monica Plewe reported.

Tiffany Williams scored their first goal off of a cross and Kristin McGrath scored the next goal for the Demons. The Panthers then played well the remainder of the first half. Durango led 2-0 at the intermission.

McGrath scored the next two, her third goal came off of a penalty shot which completed the hat trick.

"Our team had some great runs starting back with our defense. The second half Durango scored towards the middle of the half and then were awarded the penalty shot," she explained.

Nikki Fuchs played the entire game in the goalie crease for Cortez. She made 20 saves.

"She was very aggressive in coming out and had an outstanding showing," Plewe noted.

Plewe was pleased with the play of several other players, she said.

"Sweeper Carmelita Perez played great both offensively and defensively. Marking backs Suzy Smart, Jasmine Showers, Sarah Cullington and Sasha Yarbrough performed admirably containing against a very potent outside Durango attack," she noted.

Although the Panthers played catch-up the entire game, they played hard.

"Even though we got behind early the girls didn't give up. We need to work on coming out stronger from the get go. I was very proud of the entire teams communication and smart play," she added.

The Panthers, 1-3 overall, now begin a long eight-game homestand. They host Fruita-Monument at 5 p.m. Friday, April 6, and then play Montrose at noon Saturday, April 7. The Panthers host Telluride on April 10, Grand Junction High April 13, Central of Grand Junction April 14, Ignacio April 17, Pagosa Springs April 21, and Durango April 24. All games will be played at Norman Johnson Memorial Field. Their final two regular-season games are on the road: At Montrose on April 27 and at Fruita April 28.