Eager to welcome Telluride to IHS Field for the Bobcats' March 24 home opener, it didn't take new head coach Daniel Sanchez long to size up the likelihood of even getting near the visitors' net.
"I saw them warming up, and I was like, 'Uh-oh,'" Sanchez quipped afterwards, quickly running out of words to assess a 10-nil loss to the 3A/2A Intermountain League's lone representative in last spring's Class 2A State Playoffs.
Eight different Miners scored one goal, including freshman Samantha Morrell, whose first-minute marker held up as the match-winner.
Senior standout Kenzie Zaumseil netted in the 32nd for a 6-0 lead at halftime, then struck again in the 55th to increase the lead to 8-nil, and sophomore Rubie deLuca converted classmate Claudia Betz's 62nd-minute pass to bring about an early end to the afternoon.
Neither Telluride senior Whitney Wells (first half) nor freshman Claire Shaver (second half) faced an Ignacio shot.
Sophomore keeper Lanie Webb made 15 total saves for IHS in defeat, as THS put 29 of 48 tries on frame.
Known for firing shots in bunches, Ridgway visited the Pine River Valley the next morning and prevailed 7-0. Senior Emma Gould and junior Emma Haaland each scored twice, and sophomores Caitlin Sanchez, Faith Kinne and Finn Doherty each booked one as the Demons improved to 3-2 overall, 3-1 versus the full league.
The 'Cats (0-4, 0-4) will next travel east on April 4 to face a brand-new IML member: Del Norte. The Tigers stood 0-3, 0-1 prior to hosting Leadville Lake County on March 31 in their last outing before IHS. Ignacio then returns to the San Luis Valley on April 7 to face circuit newcomer Crested Butte Community School in Center at 4 p.m., then remain in the area to battle longtime nemesis Center at 11 the next morning.
SCHEDULE CHECK: Ignacio's April 26 home match versus Bayfield has been re-set for a 6 p.m. kickoff.
