Two weeks of rest and practice helped the Panther girls soccer team on a long road trip Friday and Saturday. The Panthers split their contests, losing to No. 2 Lander 10-0 and defeating Pinedale 2-1 in overtime.

Lander 10, Powell 0

A rematch from the Panthers’ most recent contest started the weekend in Lander. Powell (3-7 overall, 2-5 3A West) squared off with the Tigers (7-2 overall, 6-1 3A West) on Friday after a 7-0 loss at home two weeks prior.

Early in the contest, Powell held off constant pressure and tried to keep things close with the Tigers, the defending state champions. 

A strong play up the left wing led to a goal, as Lander made it 1-0 after 11:30.

Just minutes later, the Tigers doubled the advantage from a corner kick to make it 2-0.

More than 10 minutes of strong defense allowed the Panthers to keep Lander out of the net and give themselves an opportunity to attack.

The Tigers found the net again with just under 15 minutes remaining in the first half to make it 3-0.

Eight minutes later another strong play up the left wing made it a 4-0 advantage for the Tigers.

One second before the halftime whistle, a strike came from the top of the box, and Lander took a 5-0 advantage into the half.

“Friday’s contest was a challenge, but I felt the girls learned to adjust to the style and quickness of play throughout the game,” Panther girls head coach Kaitlin Loeffen said. “I was proud of the girls for fighting the entire game regardless of the score.”

A free kick opportunity gave Powell the chance to get a goal back seven minutes into the half, but the shot was wide of the mark.

Just a minute later, a quick move up the left side resulting in a centered pass gave Lander a 6-0 lead.

An intercepted pass out of the back a minute later extended the lead to 7-0.

Lander got its final goals over the next 17 minutes, as the Tigers scored their final goal to make it 10-0 on a penalty kick with 15 minutes remaining.

POWELL 2, PINEDALE 1 (OT)

Continuing the road trip, the Panthers made their way over the mountain to Pinedale (2-9 overall, 0-6 3A West) to take on the Wranglers in a key conference matchup.

Throughout the first half, both teams battled cold weather and wind.

Both teams found opportunities in the attacking half, but neither was able to find the net, as the game was tied 0-0 at halftime.

Both teams again tried to push the pace in the second half.

Having the wind at their backs, the Panthers created multiple opportunities that led to shots or corners.

Despite the increased chances, neither team found the back of the net and the contest went into overtime.

Powell struck first two minutes into overtime.

Junior defender Sammi Rivas scored on a corner kick giving the Panthers life early in the extra session.

A misplayed header on the defensive end from a throw-in had the ball in the middle of the field. Pinedale capitalized on the mistake and fired the ball into the back of the net, tying the game with two minutes left in the first overtime.

Powell scored the game-winning goal 4:17 into the second overtime.

Sophomore Mary Shopa found her way through the Wrangler defense and put it past the Pinedale keeper to make it 2-1.

The Panthers held off all final attacking opportunities from Pinedale and walked away with a 2-1 victory — completing the season sweep of the Wranglers.

“I was proud they were able to come back from a large loss the day before,” Loeffen said. “We controlled the possession most of the game, and I was relieved they came out on top after a very windy contest.”

HOME STRETCH

Following their two games on the road, the Panthers returned home on Monday to take on Worland (4-5 overall, 2-4 3A West).

“When it comes down to it, that game (Pinedale) was pivotal in allowing us to still have a run at state,” Loeffen said. “I hope the team continues to rally around each other.”

Monday’s game was rescheduled from April 12 after a snowstorm delayed the initial contest.

The Panthers play a second home game on Friday against Cody (7-0 overall, 6-0 3A West) at 3 p.m.

The season is quickly coming to a close.  The Panthers will have only three more contests after the game against Cody as they try to push toward the state tournament.

POWELL 2, PINEDALE 1 (OT)

Goals — Sammi Rivas 1, Mary Shopa 1