With a crucial league match Saturday versus Alamosa rapidly approaching, Bayfield’s Lady Wolverines were unable to not only gain mental momentum on the 18th versus a nonleague opponent, but also atone for a 1-1 draw on the 16th versus 3A Southwestern rival Montezuma-Cortez.
Ridgway not only struck first inside Wolverine Country Stadium against Bayfield but also last in a physical 3-1 victory.
Bayfield fell to 4-4-2 overall and 1-1-2 3A SWL with the loss. Ridgway improved to 3-4 overall with the win.
Two minutes after teammate Sam Lizzio-Cammack was helped off the pitch with an apparent back injury sustained when she lost her footing near her team’s bench, RHS junior Lily Hawkins scored a 20th-minute goal off BHS keeper McKenna Noonan’s outstretched right hand, trying to protect the low corner at her near post.
Taking an assist from senior Genesis Barrera, senior Preslie Wagner equalized for Bayfield in the 27th. The Lady Demons stole a 2-1 lead just before halftime when sophomore Addy Gardiner having received a pass from junior Elle Borsari, scored off Noonan’s gloves in the 39th.
Coming under even more fire after intermission, the Lady Wolverines were able to stay within a goal until Hawkins, attacking from almost point-blank range, received Borsari’s inward pass from the end line and managed to redirect it – somehow missing Bayfield senior Brylee Sampley’s extended right foot by less than a foot – low and right of Noonan in the 54th.
Despite gaining four corner-kick opportunities to the guests’ one, Bayfield couldn’t capitalize on any chances the rest of the way. Berwanger ended up with eight saves while Noonan tallied 20.
Outscored 18-3 in their previous three outings, RHS’ road win came just a few hours after learning earlier in the day that two home wins on the 20th would follow due to Ignacio, reportedly with a ravaged roster down to fewer than 10 serviceable players, electing to forfeit both ends of a doubleheader up in Ouray County.
HIGHEST STAKES: When Alamosa arrived for Saturday morning’s 11 a.m. kickoff at BHS, the Mean Moose did so on the strength of a 3-0 home win the previous afternoon over Pagosa Springs. With PSHS dipping to 0-3-1 in the 3A Southwestern, and AHS improving to 3-0-1, Alamosa needed to defeat Bayfield to clinch outright the league championship.
Results were unavailable at press time.
The Lady Wolverines, meanwhile, needed to beat the Mean Moose, preferably by more than one goal, then also defeat Pagosa Springs on the 23rd to have a shot at the title. Should BHS win both matches, the team would also need M-CHS to beat AHS on the 26th.
Even if the Lady Panthers were to prevail at Alamosa and then down PSHS at home on the 27th, Bayfield would still win the crown via a 1-0-1 record against Montezuma-Cortez.
