Nice weather led to impressive results for the Powell High School girls’ soccer team, as the Panthers defeated Lander 2-1 on Tuesday, April 28, before cruising to a 12-0 win over Pinedale on Saturday to lock up a spot at the state tournament with three games to go.

POWELL 2, LANDER 1

Starting the week against a difficult opponent the Panthers (10-1 overall, 6-1 3A West) were looking for the season sweep of the Tigers (7-4 overall, 3-4 3A West).

Powell had the majority of the possession in the first half and the pressure on the Tiger goal eventually paid off late on.

The first goal came off a headed effort by Emery Hernandez, as she put home a corner by Ivy Agee to give Powell a 1-0 lead with 8:36 left in the first half.

Powell doubled the lead just before the break, as Agee found her way in behind the Lander defense with 1:23 left in the half after a good through ball by Aspen French to make it 2-0.

“Getting the first two goals was really important especially after giving one up against them in Lander early,” coach Danny Agee said. “We went into the second half easier with the confidence of a two goal lead.”

The Panthers took that lead into the half.

In the second frame the Panthers were unable to find a way to extend their lead, as the Tigers started applying pressure late in the game.

The Tigers hit one off the crossbar with 16 minutes left in the game, and eventually snuck one in at the near post with 6:33 left to make it a 2-1 contest.

Powell was able to hold on late, and complete the season sweep of the Tigers.

That win, coupled with a Tigers loss to Cody on Thursday and the win Saturday against Pinedale guaranteed the Panthers will finish ahead of the Tigers heading into the postseason.

POWELL 12, PINEDALE 0

Heading into Saturday the Panthers had a much easier contest, as it didn’t take long for the hosts to get on the board against the visiting Wranglers (0-7 overall, 0-7 3A West).

That early goal came courtesy of Ava Gilliatt, who started her big day with a shot far post just 18 seconds into the game to make it 1-0.

Hernandez quickly doubled the lead just two minutes in off a corner kick, and Gilliatt got her second of the game 11:30 minutes in to make it 3-0.

Just 30 seconds later Aspen French made it 4-0, and a minute later Gilliatt completed her hat-trick to make it 5-0.

Ily Williams got on the board with 14 minutes left in the half to make it 6-0, and Hernandez added a second just before the half to make it 7-0.

“It’s always good to play everyone,” coach Agee said.

Gilliatt added a fourth off a cross from Avery Love three minutes in, and got her fifth and final goal 3:30 minutes later to make it 9-0.

Mady Agee got a goal nine minutes in, putting home a rebound from a French shot.

Josie Hallock, typically in net for the Panthers, nearly got on the scoresheet 18 minutes into the second half, but was called offside as it remained 10-0.

Melanie Garcia got on the board with six minutes left with a near post finish, and Autumn Weckler capped off the scoring after a strong run by Fae McNair to make it 12-0.

“It was good to see all of the young players get excited about doing stuff at the varsity level,” coach Agee said. “Autumn scored off a good run by Fae which was a big boost to both of their confidences.”

That win locked up a guaranteed state spot for the Panthers this month in Gillette, as coach Agee said it's nice to know they at least have a shot at the program’s first state title as they play for positioning the final two weeks.

“It’s always good to know that you’re in. I hope we can finish strong and get seeded well,” he said.

BRIDGER VALLEY OPPONENTS

The Panthers head on the road this weekend for the final time in the regular season to take on a pair of Bridger Valley opponents.

Powell starts with a matchup against Mountain View (4-3 overall, 3-3 3A West) at 3 p.m. on Friday before continuing on against Lyman (1-6 overall, 1-5 3A West) at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

“We saw some good ball movement against Pinedale and hopefully we can keep those dynamic runs,” coach Agee said. “We’d like to keep it with our front line more rather than at the back. We want to keep scoring goals with creative passing.”

3A WEST STANDINGS

(Overall record followed by conference record)

1. Cody 10-0 overall, 7-0 3A West

2. Powell 10-1 overall, 6-1 3A West

3. Lander 7-4 overall, 3-4 3A West

4. Mountain View 4-3 overall, 3-3 3A West

5. Lyman 1-6 overall, 1-5 3A West

6. Pinedale 0-7 overall, 0-7 3A West