The Durango High School girls soccer team began its season with a pair of shutouts on the road over the weekend. The Demons won their season opener 4-0 on Friday against Cañon City. Saturday, the team continued playing well and beat Pueblo West, 2-0.
“I thought it was a perfect start to our season,” said DHS head coach Melissa Halonen, noting that the team hadn’t even played on a full field before the games because of snow cover.
DHS capitalized on its set pieces, scoring five of its six goals off corner kicks and throw-ins.
“We really came through with our set pieces,” Halonen said.
Rliey Campbell assisted three of the team’s goals against Cañon City with left-footed corner kicks. Sophie Ragsdale headed-in a corner pass, and Sarah Somrack headed one corner in and volleyed a second into the goal.
Peyton Cioppa scored the team’s other goal against the Tigers, getting an assist from Mason Rowland.
Somrak also scored on a corner kick against Pueblo West by bending her corner kick into the far post for a goal.
On Durango’s other goal Saturday, Bella Saren connected with Ava Konikowski on a runner play that Konikowski finished.
The coach said the team’s defense wasn’t tested much, but Jocelyn Feir saved 11 shots to get the shutout against Cañon City and blocked four shots to blank Pueblo West.
“Defense is where we’re young,” Halonen said, noting a couple of sophomores have been starting for the team. “They weren’t really tested that much, but I thought how they covered and distributed the ball looked pretty good.”
Durango lost four or five starters from last year’s 9-1-1 team, but has about 20 returners, including nine seniors.
“We have some good returning starters and some others coming up from JV,” Halonen said. “I feel our team is made up of so many strong players that (our starting lineup) could still change.”
She said the team is athletic, but will play smarter this season.
“Last year we were super-athletic,” Halonen said. “We have the same athleticism this year, but we’ll have a more sophisticated style of play.”
The Demons have a pair of home games this week. DHS will host Telluride at 5 p.m. Thursday at DHS. Friday, Durango will host Alamosa at 5 p.m. at Riverview Field.
“I’m excited,” Halonen said. “I think this team will definitely compete as hard as last year, if not harder. I can’t wait until we grow into ourselves and see how we do.”
