Knowing his players could already sense rival Pagosa Springs not-too-distant arrival, Bayfield girls soccer head coach Josh Kitchen knew how much of a motivator even a single score in the two matches prior would be.
Or, considering the caliber of the Wolverines’ opponents, even a stout defensive effort.
Bayfield resumed 3A Intermountain League work on Saturday at Alamosa but came up empty for a fourth consecutive contest as the Mean Moose won 4-0. Able to build up a 2-0 advantage during the opening 40 minutes, AHS ended up getting three goals from senior Jayden Wubben and one from sophomore Ginger Rockcastle.
Freshman Maran Formisano notched two assists while senior Araceli Molina and sophomore Edith Wilner each earned one as AHS improved to 5-2 overall, 2-1 in league, while Bayfield slipped to 2-6, 0-2.
The Wolverines also had a tough contest against Crested Butte Community School. Though defense was visibly the main objective against CBCS – at the time ranked No. 1 in CHSAA’s Class 2A rankings – the Wolverines finally surrendered an opening goal to junior Hallie Hicks in the 23rd minute, entered halftime trailing 3-0 and ultimately fell 7-0.
Senior standout Molly Grace Miller marked in the 32nd and 38th minutes, senior Nora Thomes struck from the elbow of BHS’ 18-yard box in the 47th and sophomore Siri Wight cashed a 58th-minute penalty kick, increasing the guests’ lead to 5-0. Junior Calla Fenlon made it 6-0 by beating BHS senior goalie Lily Muir low and left in the 70th, and senior Jacey DeRoche converted a 77th-minute Miller pass into the rock-solid Titans’ seventh goal.
Muir, however, was certainly a bright spot for Bayfield as she stopped numerous would-be goals – including junior Hadley Brewer’s 20th-minute try and Miller’s threatening attempt in the 23rd. In one energizing sequence, Muir stopped three point-blank shots – Miller and Thomes were in the mix – within 20 seconds, and she saved no fewer than 15 shots.
Standing in for senior regular Bryce Haskell, CBCS junior Haley Roberts earned the win in net and needed to make just one urgent play when the Wolverines actually got the ball to the edge of her goalie box but couldn’t crack a shot before Roberts scooped up the ball – preserving what was, in essence, Crested Butte’s fifth shutout this spring as the Titans improved to 6-1-2 overall while remaining 1-0-0 in 2A Intermountain-South play.
After hosting the aforementioned PSHS (3-4, 0-2 3A IML) on Tuesday, Bayfield will welcome 2A Ridgway on Saturday at noon.