Entering the final week of the season, the Durango Demons knew two wins could get them in the playoffs.
Depending on how the rest of the week turns out, the Durango High School girls soccer team still could win a league championship.
The Demons (7-6-1, 6-2-1 Southwestern League) earned a 2-1 win at rival Montezuma-Cortez (2-10, 1-7 SWL) to finish a season sweep of the Panthers on Tuesday.
“We needed to get past this game,” DHS head coach Dalon Parker said. “These type of games where you’re supposed to go in and beat them easily can be trap games. We did well, controlled ourselves and won.”
DHS scored once in each half, with senior Lauren Milliet and freshman Taylor Klone each delivering a goal.
Both goals came when the scoring player connected with a through ball sent into the attacking area by DHS midfielders.
“Taylor went down the flank and hit it from the edge of the box for her second career varsity goal,” Parker said. “Lauren took a through ball from Livi Curmano, and she ran onto it and put it in the back of the net in a one-on-one situation.”
The Panthers’ goal came on a long set piece from 25 yards out.
DHS still is fighting with Grand Junction (9-4-1, 6-2-1) and Montrose (11-2-1, 5-1-1 SWL), who played each other to a scoreless draw Tuesday night, for the SWL championship. The Demons can earn an automatic bid in the Class 4A playoffs if they finish ahead of Montrose as the top 4A team in the 4A/5A league at the end of the season.
The Demons will need help from Fruita Monument, as they play Montrose on Friday.
First, the Demons must handle business when they close their regular season at 5 p.m. Friday at Grand Junction.
“We know we have to win out to get in the playoffs, but things have happened in the league with a couple of teams where, if things go right, we still are in contention to challenge for a league title or an automatic bid instead of trying to get an at-large bid,” Parker said. “This was the first of two or three steps for us to do so.”
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
