Seemingly envisioning themselves advancing to the Class 2A State Tournament’s semifinals, at the very least, Crested Butte Community School’s Lady Titans happily familiarized themselves with the ground upon which said postseason action will occur in concluding regular season play at Western Colorado University’s Katy O. Rady Field. 

Limiting Ignacio to a reported two shots-on-goal Saturday afternoon, May 7, while firing no fewer than 31 at IHS junior goalkeeper Trinity Strohl, CBCS, at the time ranked No. 10 in the CHSAANow.com Class 2A Girls’ Soccer poll, rolled 10-0. 

Junior Ellie O’Neal netted four goals and sophomore Leigh Harpel three as Crested Butte improved to a runner-up 6-2 in the 2A Southwestern League. Senior Campbell Ryan and junior Morgan Feltus each scored once, and senior Maddie Bogard ended the match early with a 62nd-minute strike set up by senior Nevada Scales’ fourth and last assist. 

Senior Sami Lakoski and freshman Teagan Turner each logged one helper, as did freshman Paloma Lamar. 

Strohl was credited with 25 saves unofficially, while opposite number Mara Pennie stopped both Lady Bobcat tries as IHS finished a confidence-boosting 2022 season standing 2-13 overall and a fourth-place 2-6 in the SWL.  

AFTERMATH 

 Representing the league in a 16-team pursuit of the ultimate prize, CBCS – initially seeded tenth in the bracket – began well, upsetting 7-seed Buena Vista 3-2 on Friday, May 13. Crested Butte then shocked No. 2 Colorado Springs Fountain Valley the next day, 1-0, to advance to the aforementioned semis at WCU. 

Heather Culley’s Lady Titans (now 11-5 overall) will next battle 3-seed Lamar (15-1) on Friday, May 21, at 5:30 p.m. 

LHS, as fate would have it, advanced at SWL champion Telluride’s expense, defeating the 6-seed Lady Miners 3-0 in a quarterfinal out on the Eastern Plains. Including a first-round, shootout-determined 1-1 win over 11-seed Colorado Springs Vanguard School, THS finished the season 8-0 in the 2A Southwestern and 9-6 overall.