It might have been homecoming football night, but the Durango Demons’ boys soccer team scored the first touchdown Friday.
DHS (9-2-1, 4-1 Southwestern League) unleashed 34 shots and sent 15 on target in a 7-1 victory against the Fruita Monument Wildcats (2-7-2, 1-3-2 SWL) on Friday afternoon at the Riverview Sports Complex.
“We got seven goals? Wow,” said DHS senior captain Tony Williams, son of Claudia and David Williams. “We could’ve had a lot more. We created all the chances and played really well as a team.”
Freshman Elijah Fenton scored the first goal for DHS just six minutes into the game after getting free on a pass from junior Jared Webster, but the Wildcats quickly answered when a penalty was whistled inside the box, which set up a Fruita Monument penalty kick.
Senior captain Cole Cannon stepped up to take the penalty, and DHS goalkeeper Lars Schwaebe made a diving save to his right to keep the ball out, but Schwaebe couldn’t control the rebound, and Cannon tapped it in to even the game.
“We didn’t think it should’ve been a PK, so I kind of wanted to make sure that mistake didn’t affect our final outcome,” said Fenton, son of Mike and Wendy Fenton. “I felt pressure, and it motivated all of us to step it up even more and show them we’re better.”
Williams answered in the 26th minute when he scored on a perfect lead pass by sophomore midfielder Dylan McClain.
“It was a great game in the midfield. We knew how to move the ball, were moving it quick with concise touches, and everyone seemed to know what they were doing and where to put the ball,” said McClain, son of Scott and Sue McClain. “Everything clicked and made sense. When that happens, great things happen, and we were able to get in the top third, and (the forwards) put it in the back of the net every time.”
The Demons led just 2-1 at halftime, but five goals would come in the second half. Fenton scored his second of the game unassisted in the 52nd minute, and Williams was on the board again 4 minutes later with an assist from Vance Bulen.
Williams picked up his hat trick in the 61st minute.
“We just wanted to get the goals quickly and kind of save ourselves for the harder game (Saturday),” said Williams, referencing the Demons’ big game against SWL leader Montrose (8-2, 4-0 SWL) at 2 p.m. Saturday. “We wanted to go at them, score a lot of goals and get the job done.”
DHS added a few late goals, and junior Nick Jernigan was involved with both. He scored on a top-shelf blast to the far post in the 74th minute, a goal that was assisted by sophomore Luke Stetler. Jernigan then assisted Aidan Aggeler for a goal on the final play of the match in the 80th minute.
McClain said the goal-scoring onslaught could be attributed to the two weeks off the Demons had to prepare for their first home game of the season after playing five weeks on the road to begin the year.
“We’ve had the past two weeks just to gather a little bit. Gather our thoughts and how we play,” McClain said. “It’s given us time to get better, and it showed in (Friday’s) game, and I expect it to show even more (Saturday).”
The Demons have had this Saturday showdown against state-ranked Montrose circled on their calendar since the Indians beat them 1-0 in Montrose on Sept. 12.
“Montrose is the only team we’ve lost to in league. We really want to show them we’re better and should be on top of the league,” Fenton said. “(Friday) was our first home game, and we’re even more stoked for (Saturday). We’re playing our rivals, and the fans know we’re ready to play.”
jlivingston@ durangoherald.com
