Panthers fall to Aztec in soccer

Panthers fall to Aztec in soccer

September 11, 2001

STAFF REPORT

The Panthers lost 2-1 on Friday, Sept. 8, at Aztec High School in that northwest New Mexico town. Aztec improved to 5-2 and Cortez slipped to 1-2.

"I still feel like we’re undefeated. We’ve just beaten ourselves," he said. "I know we have a good team and they know we have a good team. We just are not playing as sharp as we should and we’re making mistakes that are only hurting us."

The Panthers did not play well in the first half against Aztec and Farmington. Most of the goals against Farmington came in the second half.

"Once we started playing our game, we did okay," Starr added.

After losing their opening boys soccer game of the season, Montezuma-Cortez High School rallied back on Thursday, Sept. 6, with a 5-1 win over Farmington High JVs at Norman Johnson Memorial Field.

The Panthers were originally scheduled to play Farmington High’s varsity Tuesday afternoon at Norman Johnson Memorial Field. The game was postponed by Farmington’s A.D. at the last minute, according to MCHS Athletic Director Mike Allison.

Todd Starr, second-year head coach, cited the play of Jeff Yarbrough who scored and played steady in the field. Outside midfielder Matt Persey had a good day as well. Starr said James Durnin and Tyler Gilstrap both had assists. Juan Soto made a nice follow shot. Soto, Pena, Yarbrough, Brian Cone, and Jon Cullington all scored goals. Starr said that Durnin, Percy and Jared Sanders all received game balls for their efforts.

The Panthers host Central of Grand Junction at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, and then host Montrose at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15, at Norman Johnson Memorial Field.