Pulled off Golden Peaks Stadium's pitch late in their warm-up period by a nearby lightning flash, the Bayfield boys' soccer team still turned in an electric effort Tuesday, Oct. 2, in their rematch with Pagosa Springs.
Unfortunately, the hosting Pirates, playing for seniors Marlon Carranza and Paul Farrah, pulled out a shocking 6-4 victory after the cloudburst. The Pirates avenged a 7-1 loss inside Wolverine Country Stadium back on Sept. 11, during which the still-injured Carranza damaged his left knee in the 29th minute.
When the scheduled 4 p.m. match finally commenced at about 4:30, Pagosa's E.J. Monterroso put the home side up 1-0 with an eighth-minute finish high over BHS goalie Bailee Blakeslee. Bayfield recovered, however, to send the rain-soaked match into halftime tied at 2-2.
An 80th-minute goal by Dylan Morrow, his first this season, gave the Wolverines two second-half goals, but the rebuilding Pirates threw everything plus the kitchen sink into a four-score finish.
"It was aggressive," stated BHS head coach Chris Zoltowski. "The refs had to pull players aside and tell them to calm down."
Having battled injuries to both his ankles so far this fall, senior Dylan Doskocil netted two goals, including an initial 11th-minute equalizer, while senior Mattia DiBello marked in the 33rd.
"Dylan led by example," Zoltowski said. "I could see it in his face that he really wanted this one. He pushed himself harder than I've ever seen in any match."
"Not only did Morrow demonstrate a glimpse of what the future holds with Bayfield Soccer," he added, "but the fact that the team continued to fight when they were down proves they are developing the ability to overcome adversity."
Up next, Bayfield (1-9, 1-3 3A Southwestern, 1-7 3A/2A SWL) will host Ridgway at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6.
