Powell boys soccer completes road sweep

Posted 4/26/22

Two weeks of rest and practice paid off as the Panther boys’ soccer team went on the road, defeating Lander 4-2 on Friday and Pinedale 5-2 on Saturday.

   

POWELL 4, LANDER …

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Powell boys soccer completes road sweep

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Two weeks of rest and practice paid off as the Panther boys’ soccer team went on the road, defeating Lander 4-2 on Friday and Pinedale 5-2 on Saturday.

   

POWELL 4, LANDER 2

Rain and wind greeted the Panthers (9-1 overall, 7-0 3A West) as the first stop on their road trip matched them up with their most recent opponent, the Lander Tigers (5-4 overall, 4-3 3A West).

Things did not start well for Powell.

Taking advantage of the wind at their backs, the Lander Tigers found their way behind the Panther defense.

The Tigers scored 1:43 into the game, and the Panthers conceded their first goal from open play all season.

Both teams found opportunities at each end of the field, but neither team was able to break through over the next 38 minutes.

Just before halftime, senior defensive midfielder Garrett Morris found the back of the net on a left-footed effort at the top of the box to tie it 1-1.

Four minutes into the second half, senior Hawkin Sweeney maneuvered his way through the Tiger defense. He was tripped in the box — earning a penalty for the Panthers.

Sweeney stepped up to the spot and slotted the ball past the Tiger goalkeeper to give Powell a 2-1 lead.

Just over four minutes later, Lander got its response.

A deflected ball settled at the top of the box, and the Tiger attacker hit the ball across the frame into the back of the net, tying the contest 2-2.

“The Lander game was tough,” Panther head coach David Gilliatt said. “I have said all season that Lander is a good team, and we just outplayed them by a bigger margin at home.”

The two teams battled for the next 16 minutes, as the elements started to pick up.

Powell got its game winning goal with 16 minutes left in the game.

Morris again found the net, as his corner kick skipped through the defense and went directly in the net to make the score 3-2.

The Panthers were not finished.

A through ball skipped past the Tiger defense, and senior Keaton Rowton put it past the Lander keeper, adding an insurance goal to make the final score 4-2 in favor of the Panthers.

“Going to their field was a test, but fortunately one that we passed,” Gilliatt said. “Weather was terrible with wind and cold rain the entire game but I was proud of my boys as they showed grit the whole time and fought to the end.”

  

POWELL 5, PINEDALE 2

After a hard fought victory Friday night, the Panthers continued the road trip south to Pinedale, as the Panthers looked for the season sweep on the Wranglers (2-7-1 overall, 1-5-1 3A West).

Sophomore Chance Franks got things started early for the Panthers, as he found the back of the net just three minutes into the game to make it 1-0.

Rowton doubled the Panther advantage nine minutes later as the Panthers took control early.

Throughout the rest of the first half, the Panthers had numerous opportunities to make it 3-0 but failed to find the net and took a 2-0 lead into halftime.

The Panthers finally got their third score after a cross from Franks to Rowton made it 3-0 just over five minutes into the second half.

“Going to Pinedale we had the plan of getting up on goals and resting the starters as early as possible,” Gilliatt said. “Some starters sat out completely to get more rest.”

Sweeney made it 4-0 on a free kick from 20 yards out with 29 minutes remaining.

A handling in the box earned a penalty kick for the Panthers, as Sweeney scored to make it 5-0 with 22 minutes left.

With the score at a margin of five, Gilliatt turned to his bench over the final 20 minutes to give his starters some key rest.

Pinedale found its two goals over the last 20 minutes, as Gilliatt was happy his bench and junior varsity players were able to get game experience.

“Pinedale was able to get two goals, but it was good for my substitutes and JV players to get that experience,” Gilliatt said. “Credit to Pinedale for battling to the end to get those goals. They are well coached and always play tough.”

  

KEY MATCHUPS

The reason for resting starters on Saturday was the Panthers’ game against No. 1 Worland (9-0 overall, 6-0 3A West) on Monday.  That game was originally scheduled for April 12 but was postponed due to inclement weather and moved to Monday night.

After their game on Monday, the Panthers will face Cody (3-4 overall, 3-3 3A West) on Friday at 5 p.m.

Following that game, the Panthers only have three more regular season games before the state tournament in Cheyenne starts on May 19.

   

POWELL 4, LANDER 2

Goals — Garrett Morris 2, Keaton Rowton 1, Hawkin Sweeney 1

Assists — Keaton Rowton 1, Hawkin Sweeney 1

   

POWELL 5, PINEDALE 2

Goals — Hawkin Sweeney 2, Keaton Rowton 2, Chance Franks 1

Assists — Chance Franks 1, Keaton Rowton 1, Gunnar Erickson 1

Powell High School, Panther Soccer

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