Powell High School’s boys’ soccer team has played exceptionally all season, but the Panthers are peaking at the right time. 

Most recently, they defeated Lander Valley 4-1 on the road Friday and Pinedale 8-0 at home Saturday to improve to 9-1 overall. PHS has outscored opponents 56-4 to start the season.

Powell’s win over Lander came just two weeks after its April 9 meeting against the Tigers, when PHS escaped with a 1-0 win. This time, the Panthers “played their game,” leading to a wider margin. 

“We played with the same level of intensity but played smarter,” said PHS head coach David Gilliatt. “Not playing as rushed, not letting emotions get quite as involved as the first time.”

Senior Sam Bauer was Powell’s man of the match in the win, scoring a goal and logging two assists. Other scorers in that game were Chance Franks, Hawkin Sweeney and Keaton Rowton, while Matthew Hobbs was named defensive standout.

Lander’s only score came on a penalty kick, stemming from a controversial call near the edge of the box.

In addition to Powell’s increased intensity, the team corrected mistakes from the first match against the Tigers. 

“You progress a lot as a team,” Gilliatt said. “If you do it right, two weeks can make a big difference in how a team is playing.”

The first time PHS faced off against Pinedale, the Panthers got off to a slow start before eventually winning by four goals. This time, their prowess was on full display from the opening whistle: Freshman Gunnar Erickson found the back of the net in the second minute, paving the way for Powell’s rout. 

Continuous improvement throughout the season and momentum from the previous night’s match allowed the Panthers to find the groove early on Saturday. 

“Getting a win against Lander gave us the confidence we needed to play a good game against Pinedale,” Gilliatt said. “We passed well and played intelligently, and we did a good job of executing.”

With control of the match at half, leading 4-0, the Panthers had the chance to play several of their reserves. Off the bench, JT Prosser scored a goal and Jack Pool logged an assist. 

While Prosser’s score made it an 8-0 game, Gilliatt praised his celebration after finding the net.

“You either jog backwards or celebrate like you won the World Cup, and he celebrated like he won the World Cup,” he said. “I loved his passion.”

Erickson and Sweeney scored two goals a piece, while Landon Sessions, Garrett Morris and Jesse Trotter also scored. Sessions earned defensive standout for this win, while Hobbs also had another “really good” defensive game, the coach said.

But more than that, the team saw production from everyone who played — both starters and reserves.

“We got to rotate players a bit, and everybody did great,” Gilliatt said.

PHS hosts Cody for senior night at 6 p.m. Thursday. The Panthers cruised to a 9-1 win over the Broncs in their first meeting on March 23. 

Powell 4, Lander Valley 1

Goals — Sam Bauer 1, Hawkin Sweeney 1, Chance Franks 1, Keaton Rowton 1;

Assists — Bauer 2, Matthew Hobbs 1, Sweeney 1

Powell 8, Pinedale 0

Goals — Gunnar Erickson 2, Sweeney 2, Jesse Trotter 1, Landon Sessions 1, Garrett Morris 1, JT Prosser 1;

Assists — Franks 2, Erickson 1, Trotter 1, Reece Bauer 1, Jack Pool 1, Rowton 1