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Moffat County soccer celebrates successes as team improves

Sports Sports |

Andy Bockelman
  

Moffat County soccer players sound off to end their game against Rifle on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
Andy Bockelman/Craig Press

The first win of the season has continued to elude Moffat County girls soccer this spring, but the Bulldogs have seen many triumphs throughout their games.

MCHS has been steadily improving on offense in recent weeks, with the Bulldogs scoring more goals than they have in previous seasons. While the first four matches of the spring all ended in 10-0 shutouts, the Bulldogs saw their first goal of the season April 9 on the road against Colorado Rocky Mountain School.

Senior Esmerelda Lopez capitalized on a breakaway that let her get one-on-one with the Oyster goalie and put the ball in the net. Lopez noted that while it’s hard to create those moments, it felt good as a forward to utilize her speed.

“I just ran faster than everybody,” Lopez said. “Once I get the ball, I try to sprint my way through.”

The Bulldogs’ 5-1 loss to CRMS was followed by a 10-0 defeat at home to Roaring Fork, and then a 7-0 loss at Vail Christian over the weekend.

A game scheduled for April 16 in Rifle was changed to a home event, which caused some issues for the Craig team, who were left with 11 girls on the field. The Bears were likewise shorthanded with minimal players, and the two teams agreed to water breaks during each half.

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Maybe it was the extra hydration or the motivation, but it wound up being the best home game for the team yet this spring, namely once junior Ariana Buchanan booted one into the box with less than 10 minutes left.

Following a Bulldog corner kick she performed that didn’t quite create the scoring opportunity she wanted, Buchanan arched the ball over the Rifle keeper, banking it over the line off the underside of the crossbar.

“I was just taking my anger out, and it happened to go in,” Buchanan said.

The Bears scored a few more times to make it a 7-1 final, but Buchanan was thrilled at how frequently she and her teammates were able to get the ball in their opponents’ territory.

“We had so many opportunities, and I’m glad we got it down there as much as we did,” Buchanan said. “We’re getting so much better at getting the ball down the field and communicating. We didn’t have any subs, but we all really played to our full ability.”

MCHS will face Grand Valley and Middle Park at home this week, then will travel to Basalt before being back on their own field April 30 against Delta.

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