Senior Baylee Lindsley played her final two homes matches like they were her last.
On Friday, Lindsley was honored at Johnson Field with fellow soccer seniors Ellen Koppenhafer, Kylee Sitton and Alicia Cazier.
Montezuma-Cortez High School played from behind against Fruita Monument. But on two occasions, Lindsley tied the game with two goals.
However, in overtime, Jennis Hart received a pass ahead of the Lady Panthers frontline. The Lady Wildcat had a one-on-one shot against M-CHS goalkeeper Brianna Funk and converted through the top of the net. The result was a win for Fruita, and a devastating 3-2 overtime loss for the Lady Panthers.
To go into a league game against a 5A school like Fruita 2-2 at the end of the game, is outstanding, M-CHS coach Nate Ross said. Yeah, the end result didnt go our way, but as far as how were playing, we were the better team today.
Emotionally winded on Saturday, the Lady Panthers played a tough first half against Grand Junction. But the Lady Tigers pulled away in the second half, dealing the Lady Panthers a 4-0 loss.
I thought the first half we played well. I thought we matched Junctions intensity and pace, Ross said. The second half, we just werent first to the ball, we werent moving to the ball. Junction started to step in front and win 50-50 balls, and win free kicks and things like that.
M-CHS (3-8-1 1-6 5A/4A Southwestern League) were the aggressors early against Fruita (9-4, 5-3 SWL). Reagan Littlefield had a shot on goal in the 10th minute that was saved.
Each team played tough defense the next 20 minutes. It was in the 30th minute when Hart netted her first score for Fruita. She was assisted by Courtney Coffee on the play.
But back came the Lady Panthers just one minute later. Littlefield rebounded the ball in the right corner on the west side and kicked the pass to Lindsley. Thats when the senior perfectly placed the ball in the top left corner of the net from 25-feet out to tie the game at 1 apiece.
Two minutes later, Katie Benton put the Lady Wildcats back in front scoring off a deflection. She tipped the ball past Funk to make it 2-1. Thats where the score stood at halftime.
The next 40 minutes would be another defensive standoff. Lindlsey and Elana Bernholtz each had shots in the 44th and 53rd minutes for M-CHS. The first shot was saved and the other missed. Funk was just as strong goalkeeping for the Lady Panthers, recording three solid saves in an 11-minute span. But time was running out on M-CHS.
In the 75th minute, Bernholtz booted the ball toward goal. Lindlsey was there. Then, the ball was in the back of the net and it was 2-2. The senior captain was hugged by her teammates, as the home crowd cheered with praise.
Although Fruita prevailed in overtime, coach Ross was happy with his teams effort.
I couldnt be more proud of these girls today, he said. To deal with the pressure that Fruita was giving us, first half, they had the momentum. They were winning head balls, they were knocking balls around. Second half, we gathered our composure. Out of good defense, we finally started to get opportunities offensively.
Funk had 12 saves for M-CHS.
On Saturday, unfortunately, the Lady Panthers ran out of gas against first-place Grand Junction (8-3, 6-2 SWL).
We just didnt come out the second half aggressive. You cant win games unless youre aggressive, Ross said. Every team in this league is on a pretty even level. All the teams in our league are beatable. We just have to prepare and come out fired up, and play our game.
M-CHS will be on the road Friday and Saturday at Grand Junction Central and Montrose at 5 p.m. and 11 a.m.
Reach Bobby Abplanalp at bobbya@cortezjournal.com.