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While the Moffat County girls soccer team continues to miss its first win of the season this spring, the Bulldogs have seen plenty of wins throughout their games.
MCHS has shown steady improvement offensively in recent weeks, with the Bulldogs scoring more goals than last season. The first four games of the spring all ended in 10-0 shutouts, but the Dogs scored their first goal of the season on April 9 against Colorado Rocky Mountain School.
Senior Esmerelda Lopez took advantage of a breakthrough that put her one-on-one with the Oyster goalie and sent the ball into the net. Lopez said it's hard for her to create those moments, but it's good for her to use her speed as a forward.
“I just ran faster than everyone else,” she said. “When I get the ball, I try to run as fast as I can.”
The Dogs lost 5-1 to CRMS, lost 1-0 at home to Roaring Fork, and lost 7-0 to Vail Christian over the weekend.
A game scheduled for April 16 at Rifle was changed to a home event, creating some problems for the Craig team, which was left with 11 women on the field. The Bears were similarly short on skeleton players, and both teams agreed to a water break after each half.
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Moffat County's Gracie Cox competes for a rifle and a ball on Tuesday, April 16.
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Moffat County's Arianna Buchanan heads the ball the other way during a game against Rifle on Tuesday, April 16.
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Moffat County's Astrid Silva pitches into the rifle battle on Tuesday, April 16th.
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Moffat County's Esperanza Valencia and Maddie Larsen take to the field on Tuesday, April 16, in a rifle battle.
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Moffat County's Genesis Villalobos shoots a pass against Rifle on Tuesday, April 16.
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Moffat County's Esperanza Varenica juggles a ball during a game against Rifle on Tuesday, April 16.
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Moffat County's Jordis White will look to take advantage of the withdrawal in the Rifle game on Tuesday, April 16th.
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Moffat County's Maddie Larsen takes a goal kick against Rifle on Tuesday, April 16.
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Moffat County soccer players celebrate a goal against Rifle on Tuesday, April 16th.
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On Tuesday, April 16, Moffat County's Genesis Villalobos pitches into a rifle battle.
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Moffat County coach Trinity Beckner congratulates Arianna Buchanan with a hug after scoring a goal against Rifle on Tuesday, April 16.
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Maybe it was the extra hydration or the motivation, but it was the team's best home game so far this spring. That meant junior Ariana Buchanan took a shot into the box with less than 10 minutes left.
The Bulldogs' corner kick didn't create the scoring opportunity they wanted, but Buchanan arced the ball over the Rifle keeper and over the goal line, hitting the underside of the crossbar. .
“I was just venting my anger and it just happened to get inside me,” Buchanan said.
The Bears scored a few more times to make it 7-1, but Buchanan was thrilled with how often she and her teammates were able to get the ball inside the opponent's half.
“We had a lot of chances and I'm glad we were able to take them. We're getting really good at running the ball down the field and communicating,” she said. . “There were no subs, but everyone played to the best of their ability.”
MCHS plays at home this week against Grand Valley and Middle Park, travels to Basalt and returns to play against Delta on April 30th.
