Lady Panthers stun No. 2 Worland

Posted 3/29/18

Last year’s PHS team built on that loss, surprising everyone by earning a trip to the state tournament.

With some heavy hitters returning this season, and the Powell team off to a strong 2-1 start, Haire and his staff knew this year’s squad …

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Lady Panthers stun No. 2 Worland

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With last season’s 10-0 beatdown at the hands of the Lady Warriors still at the forefront of his mind, Powell High School head girls soccer coach Jack Haire believed this year’s game against Worland would be different.

Last year’s PHS team built on that loss, surprising everyone by earning a trip to the state tournament.

With some heavy hitters returning this season, and the Powell team off to a strong 2-1 start, Haire and his staff knew this year’s squad matched up well.

The Lady Panthers didn’t disappoint. Behind an aggressive, attacking offense and a seemingly impenetrable defense, Powell avenged last season’s loss in a big way on Tuesday: They blanked the No. 2-ranked Lady Warriors 5-0.

“I’m still in shock,” Haire said after the game. “The Riverton game gave us some confidence; I knew this was our opportunity to show up. We’re playing good, everybody’s pretty healthy. We showed up and wanted to kick some butt, and we did.”

Powell stuck with its normal formation to begin the game in an effort to gauge what Worland had to offer. It didn’t take long for Haire and assistant coach Stan Hedges to realize the Lady Panthers could run with this squad.

“Within about two minutes we had our first [scoring] opportunity,” Haire said. “Jaya [Smith] broke through and popped a shot that hit the corner post. Two inches one way and it would have went in. So we had a good feeling after that couple of minutes that we had a shot at this.”

Smith scored the first goal of the game a few minutes later — the second of her eight shots on goal for the game. After allowing the goal, Worland’s defense settled in, holding Powell scoreless the rest of the half, though they were unable to get anything going offensively. The Lady Panthers ended the half with a 1-0 lead.

“I made a little bit of a roster adjustment at the half to compensate who Worland had,” Haire said.

The adjustment worked. Kayla Kolpitcke scored the second goal of the game shortly after the start of the second half, and then a hand ball in the box gave Powell a penalty kick.

“Kayla [Kolpitcke] took the penalty kick and smoked it to the back of the net,” Haire said. “We went up 3-0. We made another change, and that change made us better. My assistant coach and I realized that making that one little change that we did made all the difference.”

After that adjustment, the Lady Panthers netted two more goals off the feet of Malia Hedges, a new player this season, and on Smith’s second tally of the game.

“That put us up 5-0, and just, wow,” Haire said. “We knew all weekend long we could win this game. Statistically, we shouldn’t beat them, and we haven’t. But we really felt good after the Riverton game. We feel like we’re a good, quality team.”

Powell’s front three of Smith, Kolpitcke and Michele Wagner continue to impress. Smith and Kolpitcke both scored twice, and though she didn’t find the back of the net, Wagner managed six shots on goal while recording two assists. Haire said when the three are at the top of their game, the Lady Panthers are a tough team to beat.

“I still say we have the best front three in the state of Wyoming,” Haire said. “But that’s just me; I’m biased, I’m a coach.”

Powell’s defense once again stepped up big, helping keeper Sydney Olsen to preserve the shutout, her second on the season.

“The defense had a few mishandled balls today, which made me a little nervous,” Haire admitted. “But they stepped up with their communication and their teamwork, all the way from our keeper to our sweeper, Joey Haire. She controlled the game nicely, and Sadie Wenzel had an outstanding game. Our whole defensive line communicated well and transitioned well.”

“We pitched a shutout game to the No. 2 team,” he noted.

Olsen turned away 13 shots.

“She was stellar,” Haire said. “We were up 1-0 at halftime and I decided to keep with her; I’m glad I did.”

The Lady Panthers are now on break until April 6, when they’ll be back in action at the Worland Tournament. Powell will enjoy the win, but isn’t resting on its laurels just yet. There’s a lot of season left, and Haire said if the team can maintain its focus, good things can happen.

“If the girls can perfect simple ball touches, one and two touch and communicate, I think we have a shot at being the best team in the state,” Haire said. “We’ll keep focusing on that, one touch, two touch and communication. It’s cool to be a part of.”

“We deserve to be at the top,” he added. “Their hard work and their dedication, they don’t have quit in them.”

Tribune photo by Carla Wensky

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