DHS advances to quarterfinals Tuesday against Steamboat
The Durango High School girls soccer team exploded for five goals in the first half on Saturday in the second round of the Class 4A state playoffs against Montrose and went on to win the game, 6-0.
The Demons will now host Steamboat Springs in the quarterfinals Tuesday evening at DHS. Steamboat beat Mullen, 2-1, on Saturday.
Against Montrose, Sarah Somrak led Durango’s attack and got DHS on the scoreboard just over two minutes into the game. Somrak took a pass from Riley Campbell, drove deep with the ball and then beating Montrose’s goalie.
“That was big time for her confidence,” said DHS head coach Melissa Halonen, noting that had been a couple games since her last goal.
The first goal, however, just opened the flood gates for Somrak on Saturday. She ended up scoring four goals in the game to lead Durango.
Mason Rowland, however, scored the team’s next goal. Adde Neiman placed a long free kick into the box, behind Montrose’s defense, and Rowland flew in, leaped and headed the ball into the net just before Montose’s goalie could get a hand on it.
Montrose tried to answer with a long shot, but DHS goalie Jocelyn Feir was able to smother the ball.
In the 25th minute, Rowland fired a throw-in about 40 yards on goal. Montrose’s goalie was able to block the shot, but it bounced out of bounds and Durango got a corner kick.
Somrak took the corner from the left side of the field and bent her high kick into the side netting for a score.
Later in the half, Montrose got a corner kick and nearly got on the board. Neiman, however, was stationed by the far post and was able block Montrose’s shot.
“That was huge for us, because as soon as they score it can change the whole thing,” Halonen said, adding, “It was great to get the shutout today.”
Makayla Wayman then put DHS up 5-0. Wayman took a pass from Rowland and made a good run to get a step on Montrose’s defense and scored on a contested shot with 9:43 left in the first half.
Somrak then scored the Demons’ sixth goal 12 minutes into the second half. Emery Miller passed the ball to Somrak, who fired a shot with her left foot. Montrose’s goalie dove and got a hand on it, but the ball kept rolling and found the net.
With another playoff game on the horizon, Durango’s bench players got a lot of playing time in the second half and continued pressuring Montrose. Backup goalie Riley Dastrup also made a save at the 3-minute mark to preserve the shut out.
The win was Durango’s third over Montrose this season, winning 5-1 and 3-1 previously. “It’s hard to beat a team three times in a season,” Halonen said. “But we talked about it and said this is the second season, so it was our first time playing them.” The loss ends the 14-seeded Montrose’s season at 11-6 overall.
The No. 3 seeded Demons, now 15-2 overall, will play another familiar foe in No. 6 Steamboat (14-2) in Tuesday’s quarterfinal. DHS beat Steamboat 2-0 earlier this season, but Steamboat beat DHS in the playoffs last year so both teams will be looking for some revenge.
The Demons, however, will enjoy Saturday’s win for a moment before returning to action.
“I’m super proud of the girls,” Halonen said. “Not just because of their ability to play soccer, but their building a community people want to be a part of with their support and encouragement of each other. That’s a priority for us.”
