A buzz was in the air Monday night, as the No. 2 ranked Panther boys’ soccer team hosted the No. 1 ranked Worland Warriors in a rematch of last season’s state championship game.

The two teams did not disappoint.

Earlier this season, Worland (9-0-1 overall, 6-0-1 3A West) handed the Panthers (9-1-1 overall, 7-0-1 3A West) the only blemish on their record.

That game happened back in the second weekend of the season, in the Pinnacle Cup Championship Game in Worland.

The Panthers came into the contest after playing two games on the weekend and being eight players short on a long road trip.

“I was very impressed. I do not think that spectators realized that was our third game in four days,” Panther boys’ soccer Coach David Gilliatt said. “We were down eight players for all three games; we did not want to play Worland with players down or immediately following, but it is what it is. Considering all the variables, I was super proud of my guys. Even without considering them, I was super proud of the team.”

Both teams came out with intensity early in the contest, as they both jostled for position and tried to gain early momentum.

Despite Powell being able to control possession early, Worland had the first two shots at goal on the counter.

Junior goalkeeper Holden Cooper was up for the challenge.

With the wind in their favor, the Panthers created chances through build up play, controlling possession and keeping the Warriors at bay.

Neither team found a breakthrough, as they went into halftime tied 0-0.

Both teams had chances to start the second half, but it was Worland that found the breakthrough early.

Just over seven minutes in, a long throw-in skipped past the Panther defense, as a miscommunication allowed an open goal for Worland to take the 1-0 lead.

Both teams continued to press, as opportunities opened up on both ends.

Powell had multiple chances turned away, while the Panthers kept the Warriors from extending their lead.

Two minutes remained, and Worland almost put the match to bed.

A shot inside the 18 was saved by Cooper, and the followup attempt bounced off the post and away from the Panther net.

Powell had an opportunity to tie the game, but a shot from senior Garrett Morris was cleared off the line by a Warrior defender.

The Panthers appeared out of answers.

A foul with 17 seconds left gave the Panthers an opportunity, as it resulted in a yellow card for the Worland defender and stopped the clock. 

Senior Hawkin Sweeney stepped up to the spot, and his low-driven free kick from 34 yards out took a deflection and landed in the back of the net.

With the game tied 1-1, the contest went into extra time.

The main threat in the first extra time period came on a Worland free kick.

An initial curling free kick was saved by a diving Cooper, and a follow-up shot was again saved by Cooper.

Both saves were part of a 14-save effort on the night.

“Holden [Cooper] has always had that ability.  You just do not always get to see it,” Gilliatt said. “He did amazing.  He made that great initial save, then popped right back up and made the second save. To me, that was his best game ever.”

In the second extra time, Powell created multiple opportunities, but quality finishes eluded the Panthers.

Both teams battled to the end and earned a draw, giving each respective team a point.

The draw ended the Warriors’ 57-game winning streak and handed them their first draw or loss since the end of the 2017 season.

Despite only battling to a draw, Gilliatt still feels the game gave his team the confidence and blueprint to hopefully dethrone the three-time defending state champions going forward.

“I wanted the players to have more self confidence and self belief that we can beat anybody in the state,” Gilliatt said. “(This game) reiterated to them the fact that we do not give up, and we play to the end of the game —  even the final 15 seconds.”

The Panthers will face the Warriors in Worland for their regular season finale on May 12, one week before the state tournament is set to start.

RIVALRY GAME

After playing three games in four days, the Panthers will get a few days to rest before hosting Park County rival, No. 5 Cody Broncs (4-4 overall, 4-3 3A West), on Friday at 5 p.m.

In the previous matchup, Powell battled the elements for a 3-0 win in Cody on March 29.

Throughout that contest, the Panthers were without Morris as they struggled to find their identity in midfield, something Gilliatt hopes will change this time around.

“Last time we were without Garrett [Morris] when we faced Cody,” Gilliatt said. “We tried to balance the midfield with guys that had not played there before. I felt like we did not get things figured out until the second half, and their midfield outworked us in the first half.”