A physical, grueling battle in Cody last Tuesday saw the Powell Panther boys’ soccer team on the wrong side of a 4-0 scoreline, dropping the Panthers into a set of key games down the final stretch of the season with a state tournament berth on the line.

CODY 4, POWELL 0

Heading into the second matchup of the year last Tuesday, the Panthers (6-7 overall, 4-5 3A West) were hoping to earn the season sweep of the Broncs (6-4 overall, 6-2 3A West).

The contest started out with both teams earning chances, with Powell’s best opportunity coming just before the midway point of the first half.

That came on a 25-yard free kick, with Chance Franks’ shot deflecting off the Bronc wall and going out for a corner.

Cody found the breakthrough just over 30 minutes into the game, with a long-range effort finding the top corner to spark the Broncs and give them a 1-0 lead.

“It was a good shot from Cody and it definitely impacts the game whenever you go down on the scoresheet,” coach David Gilliatt said. “You have to gamble a little more and that often stretches your defensive lines, opening you up for more goals. That proved true as the game went on.”

Just under five minutes later the hosts found a second, with the Bronc attacker weaving his way through the defense across the box and slotting another one home to make it 2-0 just before halftime.

Early on in the second half the Broncs continued to have chances, but Panther keeper Ryan Rivas continued to keep Powell in the game until 16:30 minutes remained.

Cody got its third goal on a corner kick, with the Panthers falling further behind as injuries mounted in the second half to key positions.

“I think they pushed the physicality envelope much harder than we did and I think that’s an area we haven’t grasped all season,” Gilliatt said. “We unfortunately get pushed around much more than we should, including this game. While some of our guys are smaller than our average opponents, this is still a mindset that we need to change … In the end I thought Cody was more intense, more physical and they outplayed us for the majority of the game.”

The Broncs capped off the contest with another strong finish with four minutes remaining, as the game ended 4-0 and the Broncs got their revenge for a shootout loss earlier in April in Powell.

POSTSEASON POSITIONING

Powell is clinging to the fourth spot at the state tournament in Green River next month, currently sitting with 13 points, just ahead of Mountain View in fifth with 10 points.

Powell trails Lander in third place which has 19 points, with the Panthers knowing a battle with Mountain View is expected to come down the final stretch of the season as the Buffalos have one more game to play than the Panthers.

“We will be looking to adapt to the strengths and weaknesses of our current roster,” Gilliatt said. “We’ve had some guys grow a lot during the season and they will likely carry a larger role in the coming weeks. We also need to address mentality more and prepare for some tough games ahead. Mountain View will be competing with us for the fourth seed at state and a win against them on Friday could help us secure a spot at the state tournament.”

HOME CONTESTS

Powell will host Mountain View (4-6 overall, 3-5 3A West) at 6 p.m. on Friday night, where the Panthers could put one foot in the door at the state tournament should they earn the victory.

“We should have most of our guys back in time for the games this weekend,” Gilliatt said. “We have already begun adapting our playing style to compete without some of our injured players. This extra time between games has been very helpful and should allow time to have some more guys heal up and be ready to adapt to upcoming opponents.”

Powell will then take on Lyman (1-10 overall, 1-7 3A West) at noon on Saturday, looking to avenge a shootout loss on the road earlier this season.

The Panthers will wrap up the regular season next week against Green River, the top team in the west, on Friday. 

3A WEST STANDINGS

(Overall record then conference record)

1. Green River — 10-1, 30 points; 8-0, 24 points

2. Cody — 6-4, 20 points; 6-2, 20 points

3. Lander — 6-4, 19 points; 6-2, 19 points

4. Powell — 6-7, 19 points; 4-5, 13 points

5. Mountain View — 4-6, 14 points; 3-5, 10 points

6. Pinedale — 2-11, 6 points; 1-8, 3 points

7. Lyman — 1-10, 3 points; 1-7, 3 points