ARCHULETA COUNTY – Having nearly struck first, when freshman Diego Cuddie rocketed wide his attempted volley of senior Ayden Casillas’ third-minute crossing pass, Bayfield struck last Tuesday afternoon, but still had just a draw to show for 80 hard minutes in sunny Pagosa Springs.
Still trailing 2-1 late in the second half, after junior Ryder King slid a shot beneath Wolverine senior goalkeeper Orion Botsford to put PSHS up in about the 56th minute, BHS caught a break barely five minutes from full time when senior Brayden Hoffman headed senior Zach Hufnagel’s cross toward Pirate goalie Ethan Bracken.
Not wanting the ball to have any chance of reaching the sophomore, senior Milo Deitemeyer’s arm successfully got in the way but couldn’t escape the referee’s view and resulted in a penalty kick for the visitors. Having already cashed one just before halftime in the 38th minute, Casillas was again called to the spot and again bested Bracken.
Neither side managed further production during the waning minutes, and the match ended deadlocked at 2-all – allowing Pagosa Springs (10-2-1 overall, 5-0-1 3A Intermountain) to clinch the league title inside Golden Peaks Stadium.
Still with a must-win IML match Friday at Montezuma-Cortez remaining on their 2025 schedule, the Wolverines (6-7-1, 3-1-1) fell behind in the fifth minute when King slotted a shot, assisted by senior Jacob Castaneda, just inside Botsford’s near post.
Competitiveness between the rival squads more and more manifested itself as physicality continued as play progressed, but the half ended up quite evenly played.
Each team took eight shots, with Pagosa Springs putting five on frame and Bayfield four.
Ultimately, however, PSHS needed just not to lose the high-stakes showdown, and did just that.
Like Bayfield, Pagosa Springs also will wrap up regular-season play on Friday, but will do so against 2A Lake County (0-12 overall).
