At times needing to make just one extra pass or outrun one last defender to approach the opposing net, the Bobcats' April 7-8 flashes of offense came and went as quickly as grocery-store promotional food samples.
And unfortunately, Ignacio was twice more denied the taste of long-awaited victory.
Playing upon Alamosa High School's artificial surface due to still-standing snow covering other San Luis Valley sites, IHS faced both Crested Butte Community School and Center. Ignacio trailed both by only one goal at halftime, but ultimately fell to both, 2-0 to CBCS, and 3-nil to the Center Vikings.
"We really lacked some energy today," head coach Daniel Sanchez said after the second-day shutout. "I think we left it all on the line yesterday. I was definitely more pleased yesterday."
Which came as something of a surprise, as Sanchez had hoped before the match the 'Cats would play hard but conserve enough energy to defeat longtime 3A/2A Southwestern/Intermountain League nemesis Center.
Instead, a crowd of barely 10 people witnessed an exciting sunset clash with interim coach Alexis Charles' Titans, who unofficially outshot Ignacio 20-1 (14-1 on frame) but only managed goals in the 14th and 48th minutes by freshman Sydney Stoneberg.
Crested Butte also generated five of their six corner-kick chances after intermission, but had little to show for them as IHS sophomore goalie Lanie Webb made 14 total stops. Counterpart Shelby LaDuke, a freshman, was pressed to make plays on three balls to preserve a clean sheet against pressure led by IHS senior Ryley Webb and junior Chamisa Edd.
"If we play tomorrow as well as we just did," Sanchez said, "I think we'll be in good shape."
Keeping Center keeper Giselle Almeida on her toes throughout a tense first half, the 'Cats (0-6, 0-6 IML) certainly looked the part while only one enemy shot found the back of the net. But in getting Win No. 1 as the Vikings' new boss, CHS (1-6, 1-5) separated and finished with unanswered goals by senior Aaliyah Porres, junior Gladys Hernandez and sophomore Miriah Varela.
Ignacio hosts Del Norte on Thursday, then Center at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 15. A rescheduled trip to Del Norte is slated to follow on April 20, with action commencing at 4 p.m., and IHS will then head to Ridgway on the 22nd for an 11 a.m. kickoff.
"We'll keep plodding along," quipped Sanchez optimistically, "and see what we come up with!"
