Beating a big rival was the medicine the Durango High School girls soccer team needed going into the stretch run of the league season.
After losing five games in a row and two to the Montrose Indians, the DHS Demons capped off a 2-0 week coming out of spring break with a 1-0 overtime home win against Montrose on Saturday.
“It was a team victory, and that’s what is best about it,” DHS head coach Dalon Parker said. “It wasn’t about individuals, and that was great to see.”
DHS (3-5, 3-2 Southwestern League) received an overtime goal from sophomore Chloe Taylor to break the deadlock.
It all started with a free kick from junior Maddie Robertson, who found junior Lauran Morrissey at midfield. Morrissey and sophomore Peyton Floyd played a two-girl game working down the left side of the Montrose (5-2, 2-1 SWL) defense, which Parker called the weak side of the Indians’ back line.
The ball found Taylor’s foot at the top of the 18-yard box, and Taylor turned and fired a shot toward goal. A Montrose defender stepped in front of the shot, trying to deflect it away from goal, but the shot redirected past the Montrose goalkeeper and into the back of the net for the Demons’ golden goal.
“It was huge to see that go in, especially for the seniors,” Parker said. “The seniors are always so sad when we lose to Montrose. They’re a tough team to beat and they always battle. It was good to get that win because it was their first loss in league, and we are the ones who gave it to them.”
Parker was much more happy with the play of his defense Saturday. The Demons had surrendered soft goals to Montrose in their first two losses to the Indians this year, but Parker praised the play of freshman Autumn Stevens and senior goalkeeper Jessi Sigilito. He estimated Sigilito made eight saves.
“Autumn is a freshman we decided to start on the back line, and she did a tremendously phenomenal job,” Parker said. “Young players stepped up big-time.”
Montrose’s loss sent Fruita Monument (3-3, 1-0 SWL) to the top of the league standings, with Grand Junction and Montrose tied for second. Durango stayed alive with the win and still can win the league if it wins out and receives a bit of help.
“It puts us back into a spot to make noise in the league. If things play out, we can still win it,” Parker said. “To give the person at the top of the mountain a loss is a big deal.”
DHS has a busy week ahead with a game Monday at Sand Creek in Colorado Springs before a home game Wednesday against Montezuma-Cortez. The Demons will turn around and hit the road again Thursday for a game Friday night at Pine Creek.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
