For many soccer teams, three goals over three games would be businesses as usual, but for the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers, such a scoring outburst is quite the accomplishment.
Kicking off last weekend’s play in Grand Junction on Friday, Oct. 4, against Aspen High School, the Panthers suffered their tenth consecutive loss by a score of 6-1.
Breaking a two-game scoreless streak for the Panthers was junior Manuel Martinez, who scored his third goal of the season.
“The back four was doing well,” said Panthers’ midfielder Aron Engle, of his team’s performance. “They enabled us to get some free kicks and push the ball forward, which (contributed to) the goal.”
Playing for the second time on Friday, Oct. 4, the Panthers faced off against Grand Junction High School, this time losing 7-1.
For the second consecutive game, a goal by Manuel Martinez provided the team’s only offense.
Wrapping up the weekend’s play in Montrose against Montrose High School on Saturday, Oct. 5, Panthers’ junior Taren Lanier scored a goal, but in the end, the team fell 7-1.
As lopsided as the defeat was however, the game was a marked improvement from the Panthers’ 9-0 loss to Montrose earlier this season.
“We played a lot better against Montrose,” said Engle.
Next up for the Panthers will be a road matchup against Durango on Tuesday, Oct. 8, followed by road matchups against Grand Junction Central (Oct. 11) and Fruita Monument (Oct. 12).
“We just have to communicate, play as a team, focus and relax with the ball,” said Engle of the Panthers’ goals for the upcoming contests.
