Needing a win in the final regular season game to secure a top three seed at the state tournament, the Powell Panther girls’ soccer team came out firing. Six goals from freshman Emery Hernandez proved to be the difference, running away with a 9-5 win over visiting Green River at home on Friday.

Powell stayed put in that No. 3 seed after results on Saturday, as Cody defeated Green River and secured the top spot with Lander in second and the Wolves in fourth.

The Panthers will take on the East No. 2 seed Worland (12-3 overall) at 9 a.m. on Thursday at Green River High School, putting their current six game winning streak on the line.

POWELL 9, GREEN RIVER 5

With the winner gaining at least the No. 3 seed at the state tournament the Panthers (11-5 overall, 9-3 3A West) and Wolves (10-5 overall, 8-4 3A West) both came out firing.

Both teams had opportunities early, but it was Ava Gilliatt who got the Panthers on the board first.

She controlled a poor clearance from the Green River keeper, maneuvered around a defender and put it in the back of the net 14 minutes in to make it 1-0.

It didn’t take long for the Panthers to double their lead.

Just 20 seconds later Emery Hernandez tapped the ball around the Wolves keeper after a through ball from Ivy Agee, putting it in the back of the net to start what would be a strong scoring day.

Two minutes later Hernandez had her second, when a cross-turned-shot found its way over the keeper and expanded the lead to 3-0.

“Truthfully, scoring goals early always makes me nervous as it can be very hard to hang on to the momentum for the rest of the game,” coach Danny Agee said. “Scoring several was a good feeling and the ladies did well to keep the energy up late in the game.”

Green River didn’t roll over, getting one back on the board with 18 minutes left in the first half to make it 3-1.

That scoreline stood at the break.

Quickly off the second half kickoff the Wolves cut the lead down to one, scoring in 12 seconds to make it 3-2.

Hernandez got her hat-trick 3:30 minutes into the half, scoring on another race behind the Wolves’ defense to make it 4-2.

“The part we were most pleased with was our connection getting into the final third,” coach Agee said. “We have talked all year about weighting the passes so that forwards have time to run them down and in this game we were able to execute that final touch multiple times. It was great to see.”

Agee got a goal on a high shot from 25 yards out two minutes later, pushing the lead further to 5-2.

Again, Green River did not go away.

With 25 minutes left, the Wolves converted a free kick, and quickly added another goal just five minutes later to make it 5-4 with 20 minutes remaining.

Powell extended its lead back out behind a strong effort, as freshman Ava Brewer scored her first goal from center back on a long shot from 37 yards out and made it 6-4.

Ensuring that there would be no comeback this time, Hernandez scored goals with 12 minutes, seven minutes and four minutes left on the clock, capping off her total at six for the day and giving the Panthers a commanding 9-4 lead.

“We have the ability to be very offensive when we all work together and that has been evident over the past few games,” coach Agee said. “Each and every goal just helps to give players more confidence and that’s a great blessing going into state.”

Green River added one more with two minutes left, making the final score 9-5 as the Panthers secured at least the No. 3 seed at state.

STATE TOURNAMENT

Powell’s first state opponent, Worland, lost the final game of the regular season 4-3 against Douglas which took the top spot in the East.

The winner of the first round game on Thursday will play against the winner of the West No. 1 seed Cody (12-2 overall) and the East No. 4 seed Rawlins (4-10) at 2 p.m. on Friday at GRHS.

If Powell loses it will drop to the consolation bracket against the loser of the other contest at 9 a.m. at GRHS.

“We are going to face some great teams this next week and I just hope the ladies don’t put too much pressure on themselves,” coach Agee said. “They deserve to be there and simply need to focus on the simple things and the rest will take care of itself.”

Powell is still seeking its first quarterfinal victory in school history and will look to bring home a first trophy in school history this weekend.

Games will also be played at Lincoln Middle School in Green River throughout the weekend.

3A GIRLS STATE BRACKET 

Game location in (), GRHS is Green River High School, LMS is Lincoln Middle School

THURSDAY

Game 1: 9 a.m. No. 2E Worland vs. No. 3W Powell (GRHS)

Game 2: 9 a.m. No. 1W Cody vs. No. 4E Rawlins (LMS)

Game 3: 2 p.m. No. 2W Lander vs. No. 3E Buffalo (GRHS)

Game 4: 2 p.m. No. 1E Douglas vs. No 4W Green River (LMS)

FRIDAY

Game 5: 9 a.m. Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2 (GRHS)

Game 6: 9 a.m. Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4 (LMS)

Game 7: 2 p.m. Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 (GRHS)

Game 8: 2 p.m. Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 (LMS)

SATURDAY

Game 9: 9 a.m. Winner Game 5 vs. Winner Game 6 — Consolation final (GRHS)

Game 10: 9 a.m. Loser Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8 — Third place game (LMS)

Game 11: 1 p.m. Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8 — Championship (LMS)