Banged-up enough already, Bayfield girls' soccer saw two more players go down Tuesday afternoon as their fading postseason hopes disappeared in a 4-1 loss at Montezuma-Cortez.
Following last Friday's unlucky 2-1 loss at Ridgway-a match played as the weekend's snowstorm was intensifying-the Wolverines, who had slipped from 28th to 30th in CHSAA's State Tournament-determining RPI index after facing the Demons, dropped to 5-9 overall and 4-6 against the full 3A/2A Intermountain League. In the RPI index, 12 automatic qualifiers and 12 RPI-based teams will comprise the Class 3A field.
Junior Misty Helton cashed a free kick for BHS' only score at Johnson Field, but with injury claiming both senior Makenna Cowan and sophomore Sarah Ruyba, the Panthers (7-7, 7-6) were able to capitalize.
Senior Britaney Hampton scored two goals for M-CHS, and fellow seniors Rylee Lindsley and Madi Archuleta each scored once as the hosts led 2-0 at halftime and hung on until the end of their regular-season finale.
Bayfield, meanwhile, will close out their 2017 at 1 p.m. in Telluride in a match scheduled for last Saturday, but postponed by the aforementioned weather.
According to information from THS Athletic Director Chris Murray, BHS head coach Jen Zelinski-Moore will be unable to make the trip due to a prior commitment, so the side will take its cues from assistant Josh Kitchen.
Ridgway, meanwhile, welcomed Ignacio to Ouray County Tuesday afternoon and, well-rested after having last Saturday's visit from Pagosa Springs postponed, booted in five goals before intermission in prevailing 9-nil.
Senior Lydia Leafstrand recorded what would be the match-winner in the second minute, and finished with two scores. Including a penalty kick, senior Jordan Pugh one-upped her with three, while freshman Raven Hopgood scored twice, senior Emma Gould once, and senior Alexis Lindley once.
Junior Cora Ticherich played between the pipes against Bayfield, surrendering junior Savannah Kaufmann's 11th-minute goal, but RHS Coach Trevor Peterson utilized junior Hunter Gentry as goalie against IHS.
But even with consecutive wins, improving them to 9-3 overall and 9-2 against all IML opposition, the Demons slid from ninth to a precarious 11th in the Class 2A RPI index. Only 12 teams-6 automatic, 6 RPI-fill the 2A State Tournament bracket, which was updated Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, ahead for Daniel Sanchez's Bobcats (0-12, 0-12) will be a 4 p.m. kickoff Friday at Telluride (#5 in 2A RPI as of Wednesday), and an 11 a.m. season-finale Saturday in Montrose against Crested Butte.
