The highly anticipated return of a team leader and the year’s nicest day of weather combined to produce a nearly perfect day at Riverview Park for the Durango High School girls soccer team.
With senior Maddie Robertson back in the lineup, Durango played inspired soccer from the opening whistle and shutout rival Montrose, 4-0. Robertson scored in her first game back and was joined by Taylor Klone, Autumn Stevens and Chloe Taylor as Demons who found the back of the net Friday. Leah Stephens posted another shutout in goal for Durango, her second against Montrose in a week.
“In most games we play, it comes down to what we’re doing, not what anyone else is doing. Not what the score is but what we need to do out there,” Durango head coach Dalon Parker said. “This was one of those games. We have big games coming up and hopefully some playoff games, so playing the right way for the duration of the game is what I want to see, and that’s what happened (Friday).”
Durango (7-3, 5-1 5A/4A Southwestern League) was the superior team from the start, and it didn’t take long for the Demons to build a comfortable lead.
Stevens got the home team going with a perfectly placed free kick from an odd angle to give Durango the lead in the 15th minute.
“I’m new to the whole free kick thing, but I’ve been practicing,” said Stevens, daughter of Eric and Lynn Stevens. “I just wanted to get something on frame, and I hit it just right.”
It was all Demons after that.
After hitting the post minutes earlier, Chloe Taylor did it again, but this time it deflected in the net to give Durango a 2-0 lead.
In similar fashion, shortly before halftime, Robertson announced her presence. On her previous free kick attempt, the senior hit the crossbar, but her second try snuck just underneath and gave Durango a 3-0 lead.
Robertson missed the first half of the season with a knee injury.
“It was amazing just to be back on the field,” said Robertson, daughter of Jim and Susie Robertson. “We’ve been training so hard, and I’ve been watching the girls do so well from the sidelines. It’s just good to be back with the team. It’s all about the team.”
After a great play and pass by Livi Curmano, Klone’s goal capped off the successful day shortly before the final buzzer sounded.
Stephens was flawless in net, but it wasn’t a breeze for her as she was forced to make some tough saves. She stopped all five shots the Indians (6-5, 2-3 5A/4A SWL) put on frame to register her fourth shutout of the season.
Durango has a big test at 11 a.m. Saturday against Fruita Monument, which delivered one of the Demons’ three losses. Fruita beat Durango 2-0 last Saturday, but the Demons will get a chance for redemption on their home turf at Riverview Park.
jfries@durangoherald.com
