A narrow loss against one of the top teams in the state alongside a solid win led to a weekend split for the Powell High School boys’ soccer team, as the Panthers narrowly lost in Lander 4-3 but rebounded with a 3-0 win over Pinedale on Saturday.

LANDER 4, POWELL 3

Starting in Lander on Friday the Panthers (2-2 overall, 1-1 3A West) took on the Tigers (3-2 overall, 1-1 3A West).

The hosts struck early, as Lander scored just five minutes in to take the early advantage.

Powell responded less than 10 minutes later, as Gianreye D’Alessandro fired home a free kick from 30 yards out to tie the game 1-1.

Lander quickly answered and found the back of the net again just a couple of minutes later to make it 2-1.

Powell again answered with a long range free kick, this time from Ethan Frame from nearly 40 yards out to tie the game with 23 minutes left in the half.

It appeared to be going into the break deadlocked, but the Tigers mustered one more first half goal just before the halftime whistle to take the lead 3-2 at the break.

“We knew going in that Lander had a deeper squad with some really athletic players,” coach David Gilliatt said. “They have a lot of offensive weapons and multiple substitutes for all positions. We did our best to try and counter their offense with organized defense and a specific game plan. I think for the most part, we had some big successes and I was pleased with how hard we fought until the absolute end.”

Lander added another on the break just over four minutes into the second half, pushing the lead to 4-2.

Powell got one late off another free kick that was saved but turned in, but it was too little too late as the Panthers fell 4-3.

“Give us five more minutes and I think we tie that game,” Gilliatt said. “I think we had a few mistakes that Lander capitalized on, so credit them. Those are things we can work on and improve, and look to be more competitive in our next matchup.”

POWELL 3, PINEDALE 0

Heading down to Pinedale on Saturday the Panthers took on the Wranglers (0-2 overall, 0-2 3A West).

Throughout the first half the Panthers were on the front foot but couldn’t find the back of the net, but a hustle play helped the Panthers finally take the lead.

“The second leg of that away trip against Pinedale has been rough every year for the past nine years I’ve been coaching the Panthers,” Gilliatt said. “We always deplete ourselves playing Lander and have to get back on the bus to face Pinedale the next day.”

Hugh Carpenter stole the ball from a defender after a poor goal kick by the Wranglers, getting around the keeper and slotting it home to make it 1-0 with four minutes left in the half.

“Hugh gritted out that first goal with pure effort and intensity and literally went through two players, including the keeper to get that goal,” Gilliatt said. “That was big for us as he set the tone and got us on the scoresheet. The guys played with more intent and confidence after Hugh set that tone.”

D’Alessandro added to the advantage shortly after, weaving his way 25 yards through the defense and slotting another one home with 2:15 left in the half to make it 2-0.

That lead held into halftime before Powell sealed it with another D’Alessandro goal on the break just under 11 minutes into the second half to make it 3-0.

Powell finished the remainder of the game to claim the clean sheet and finish with the 3-0 win.

“Definitely an important win as it puts us back on track to qualify for the state tournament,” Gilliatt said. “The shutout is good psychologically but ultimately the win is what matters. I’m looking forward to facing off with Mountain View and Lyman this weekend and hope we can continue that winning form.”

HOME CONTESTS

Powell returns home this week to continue conference action, as the Panthers host a pair of Bridger Valley opponents.

The Panthers host Lyman (0-2 overall, 0-1 3A West) at 5 p.m. on Friday and welcome in Mountain View (1-0 overall, 1-0 3A West) at noon on Saturday.

“We really need to improve our actions in the final third and work on our finishing,” Gilliatt said. “We’ll also look to improve our defensive actions as we’ve let in too many easy goals. Both things are fairly simple to focus on and we hope to improve both of these areas significantly by Friday.”