The Panthers got hat tricks from Mckenzy Howerton and Aaliya Rendon, and the Montezuma-Cortez High School girls soccer team cruised to an 8-1 victory against Ignacio High School Thursday afternoon in Cortez.
Howerton netted goals in the 19th, 21st and 28th minutes, while Rendon scored in the 14th, 30th and 38th minutes. The Panthers (3-13) also had goals from Johanna Ruiz and Hailey White.
Down 8-0, the Bobcats (0-14) picked up the pace in the 50th minute and threatened with a couple good chances at goal. In the 55th minute, Abbi Barthel had a one-on-one chance against Cortez keeper Ayanna Silas, but Silas came out of goal to stop the ball before Barthel got her shot off.
The Bobcats broke through in the closing minutes when Lauren Gram fought off a defender to maintain possession and fired a shot past Silas for the Bobcats’ lone goal.
Rylee Pearson made eight saves in goal for Ignacio.
The Bobcats (0-9 2A Region 4) will close out the season at Del Norte (9-4, 4-2 2A Region 4) on Friday.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
