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Moffat County sophomore Imelda Hernandez works the ball downfield last season against Montrose. The Bulldogs opened the 2009 season Saturday in Rifle - the first of seven consecutive road games on this year's schedule.

They lost, but it would be hard to notice.

The Moffat County High School girls soccer team fell, 1-0, Saturday in its season opener to the host Rifle Bears.

Despite the notch in the loss column, coach Dave Rodriguez said his team came away with a win in every other category.

"Even though we lost, I would say that we actually won," Rodriguez said. "I think we gained the trust of the kids. I think we built their confidence. I think it showed them that they have the ability to get it done, and I think all the hard work that we've put in in the past - the two-a-days and stuff - paid off."

In a defensive struggle that saw fewer than 10 shots on goal by both teams, a goal with less than three minutes to play in the first half by the home team proved to be the game-winner.

"It wasn't even really a shot," Rodriguez said. "It went through and bounced off a bunch of people. It wasn't even a clean shot. It barely just rolled in."

Leading up to the season opener, Rodriguez stressed the importance of playing tough defense and keeping the game close until the final whistle sounds.

He got what he wanted Saturday.

"That's exactly what I wanted," Rodriguez said. "I didn't want a high-scoring game. I wanted our defense to clamp down, and they did."

Freshman Kelly Ciesco had a chance to put the Bulldogs on the board early, but her breakaway shot less than five minutes into the contest was stopped by Rifle's goalie, keeping the game scoreless.

As for getting the first game of his first season out of the way, Rodriguez said the only way he could have been more pleased was if the team had won.

"It went great," Rodriguez said. "It was a nail-biter. People were on the edge of their seats the whole game. It was one of those games that could have gone either way, and it won't be long before they all go our way."

Moffat County plays the second of seven consecutive road games at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Glenwood Springs.

Notes

Moffat County lost to the Bears, 5-1, in their final meeting of 2008. : The game was the first in the high school coaching careers of Rodriguez and assistant Nicole Dolence. : Moffat County didn't score a goal until it's seventh game of the season in 2008.

John Vandelinder can be reached at 875-1793 or jvandelinder@craigdailypress.com