It wasn't the season ending the Bayfield soccer girls wanted.
Pagosa Spring's penalty-kick goal in the 58th minute held as the 3A Southwestern regular-season finale's only score, leaving Bayfield head coach Jen Zelinski and her Lady Wolverines baffled by a second goal-less showing in three days.
Bayfield did out-shoot Pagosa by an unofficial 18-5 total margin, and gained 12 corner-kick opportunities to the locals' two. But, again, unusually with no result.
Definitely not the way Zelinski or any veteran coach would want to head into the postseason.
But despite the 1-0 road on Friday, and last Wednesday's 0-0 tie with Center, BHS has a chance to start anew and right their course.
"Yeah, I think they're pretty excited!" Zelinski said Tuesday evening of her players.
And at the right time, too.
CHSAA's 'Selection Sunday' gave Bayfield (10-4-1 overall, 9-2-1 league) the #24 seed in the 2014 State Championships' opening Round of 32. The girls play at 4:15 p.m. today in Quadrant I against 9-seed Manitou Springs in Colorado Springs.
"We've seen 'em before," said Zelinski, referencing BHS' 2011 loss at MSHS when Bayfield was, coincidentally, the #24 and Manitou the #9. "I expect 'em to be a lot like Alamosa-big, strong, physical."
Current seniors Jaida Ross and Sonja Fleming-as well as injured, shelved senior Effie Nistler-first cut their playoff teeth three years ago, and will be designated 'must-stop' by the Lady Mustangs.
Also playing this weekend are the Classical Academy and Colorado Springs Christian
Southwestern champions Alamosa also will head to Colorado Springs to play in Quadrant III.
