Two ties against Fruita Monument is not what the Durango High School boys soccer team envisioned for its spring 2021 season.
But that was the result after the Wildcats got a second-half game-tying goal Tuesday night before the visiting team survived overtime to get a 1-1 draw against the host Demons.
“We dominated the first half, played solid defensively and had the majority of control,” DHS head coach Aaron Champenoy said. “The second half, we struggled to get control. The guys were fatigued playing their third game in five days. In overtime, I thought we were the aggressors and attacking to find a winner. We had two real good chances, but one went over the bar and another their keeper made a good save on a Cedar Newman shot.
“It’s a disappointing result for the team in one I felt we should have won, especially at home. Give credit to Fruita, they are a scrappy team and never stop fighting.”
DHS (2-1-2, 2-1-2 5A/4A Southwestern League) received a first-half goal from Ryan Bell. It was assisted by Sayer Frontella, a wing player who drifted outside and played a ball through to Bell, who finished from the left side of the 18-yard box into the lower right corner of the goal. DHS led 1-0 at halftime.
But the Wildcats (1-4-1, 1-3-1 SWL) answered in the second half with a goal from Fletcher Lippert. DHS struggled to clear a ball out of its own box, and Lippert struck it on a half volley and blasted it into the corner of the goal.
DHS, which earned a 1-0 overtime win Saturday against Grand Junction, will now welcome Grand Junction Central (0-6, 0-4 SWL) at 5:30 p.m. Thursday before traveling Saturday to see the same Warriors team.
Because Grand Junction beat Montrose 4-2 on Tuesday, DHS still has a chance to win the league title if it can win the remainder of its league games. Montrose now has two losses, while Grand Junction has one loss and one tie.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
