A first half flurry of goals helped the Powell Panther boys’ soccer team cruise in its season opener at Pinedale on Saturday, led by five goals from Chance Franks as Powell dominated with a 7-1 victory over the Wranglers.

POWELL 7, PINEDALE 1

Hoping to set the tone from the start, Powell (1-0 overall, 1-0 3A West) came out aggressive against the Wranglers (0-2 overall, 0-2 3A West).

An early scoring blitz for the Panthers set the tone, with Braxton Batt getting his first high school goal just over three minutes into the game after hustling to block a goalkeeper clearance and put the ball just over the goal line.

“It was great (to get him a goal),” coach David Gilliatt said. “He made a lot of good runs throughout the game, I think his timing was a little off … It’s good for his confidence to get a goal. He was making good runs, just got caught offside a few more times than we’d like but that’s easily coached. I would rather make those aggressive runs — we can work on how to time those better rather than not knowing how to make those runs at all.”

Just 1:30 later the lead doubled, after a strong run by Chance Franks found Parker Williams who finished with his left foot to make it 2-0.

Eight minutes later, Franks opened his scoring campaign for the season after a through ball from Landon Hernandez set him on the break finishing to make it 3-0.

“They played a high line against us initially and that allowed us to play a lot of balls in behind them and utilize some of our speed. That’s where we got the goals early,” Gilliatt said.

One minute later another break by Franks led to a foul by Pinedale in the box, earning a penalty with 26 minutes left.

The first attempt was saved, but an infraction by the keeper allowed Franks to convert a second and make it 4-0.

He completed his hat trick with 17:30 left in the half after stealing the ball and racing up the field to make the score 5-0.

His first half blitz was not over, scoring on another after a chipped through ball from Will Jackson made it 6-0 with 16 minutes remaining.

The second half led to more chances, and it was the Wranglers that struck first.

Pinedale scored after a ball failed to get cleared, sneaking just under the keeper to make it 6-1 midway through the half.

“We didn’t plan for the worst in that scenario and paid the price,” Gilliatt said. 

Shortly after the hosts got on the board, Franks finished off the scoring with his fifth of the game to make the final 7-1.

“I think that test was good for us, that Pinedale team has improved,” Gilliatt said.

PINNACLE CUP

Heading back out on the road this weekend the Panthers will head to Worland, taking part in the Pinnacle Cup on Friday and Saturday.

The first matchup for Powell will be against the hosts, taking on the Warriors (1-1) at 1 p.m. on Friday.

“It is definitely going to be a different style of opponent,” Gilliatt said. “We are looking to address some things that we need to improve upon from this (Pinedale) game and I think that will help us throughout the tournament and the season.”

Depending on the result, the Panthers will either take on Pinedale or Newcastle (0-0) on Friday at 4 p.m. or play Saturday.