The Durango High School boys soccer team gave up a couple of late goals to Mead on Friday, but had a big lead at the time and held on to win the game, 3-2, at Dirks Field on Fort Lewis’ campus.
“We played well for most of the game,” said coach Forrest Kinney. “We gave up two goals late, which was tough, but the guys rallied late and finished strong.”
Charles Gleason put DHS up 1-0 early in the first half. Sam Persing played a cross in and Gleason was in front of the goal to receive the ball and he kicked it in.
Later in the half, the Demons won a free kick from about 35 yards out. Lucas Foster took the kick quick before Mead was totally set and his shot sailed in goal to give DHS a 2-0 advantage.
About five minutes into the second half, Davis Cameron put the Demons up, 3-0. Cameron drove down the field, beat a couple of defenders and then played a ball across the face of the goal that deflected off Mead’s goalie and into the goal.
Mead, however, didn’t go down without a fight. The Mavericks scored with 8:32 left to break up Durango’s shutout. Less than two minutes later, they scored again on a penalty kick, cutting Durango’s lead to 3-2.
Mead went on the attack again late, but goalie Fred Reiter dove to poke a crossing attempt out of the box and end the threat.
“Fred played great, especially his big save late knocking that cross down,” Kinney said.
Durango improves to 5-0 with the win while Mead slipped to 2-1.
“We were down four really key guys, but other guys stepped up and really helped us out,” Kinney said.
The No. 3 ranked Demons will next take on Grand Junction Central (1-1) in Grand Junction at 3:30 p.m. Thursday.
