ROCK SPRINGS – Not only did teams have to battle each other, they also had to battle the weather on the second day of the 4A State Soccer Tournament. While both the Green River and Rock Springs men’s teams made it to Saturday, both women’s teams season came to a close.
The Wolves entered Friday play with a shot to get to the championship match but it would not be easy as they faced off against defending state champions Laramie. The Plainsmen were the first to score as Blake Wright put the ball in the net at the 13th minute. That is the way it stayed as the teams reached halftime.
Six minutes into the second half, Laramie scored again to jump up two. In the 65th minute, Green River’s Tanner Trumble scored but the referee waved off the goal saying Victor Alatorre impeded the Laramie keeper. Alatorre received a red card for arguing with the ref and was ejected from the game.
At about that time, mother nature took center stage and the game was suspended due to lightning. After an almost two hour delay, the teams resumed action. Green River had a couple of strong drives at the end but just could not break the Laramie defense as the game ended with a 2-0 Laramie win.
Rock Springs Tigers
After losing in their opening round match, the Tigers came out firing on Friday. Edgar Arana did not waste any time as he quickly gave Rock Springs the lead in the 11th minute. Nine minutes later, he struck again giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead.
In the 25th minute, Tiger Sergio Lemus’ put Rock Springs up by three and that is the way it stayed until half.
Cheyenne East got on the board in the 51st minute but could not get any closer as the Tigers moved on to Saturday.
Girl’s teams
Kelly Walsh dominated the Lady Tigers in the first half of the game, scoring two first half goals. Rock Springs only managed one shot on goal in the first half. The two goals in the first proved to be the difference as that is the way the game ended.
The Lady Wolves looked like they had shaken off Thursday’s loss as they took an early 1-0 lead and then went up 2-1 later. Natrona scored three goals in the final 27 minutes to end the Lady Wolves season.
4A Girls
Friday
Consolation Round
Kelly Walsh 2, Rock Springs 0 – Rock Springs Eliminated.
Natrona 4, Green River 2 – Green River Eliminated.
Semi-Finals
Sheridan 3, Gillette 0
East 3, Laramie 1
Saturday
Kelly Walsh vs. Natrona – 9 a.m. at High School Consolation Championship
Gillette vs. Laramie – 9 a.m. at Junior High School 3rd Place
Sheridan vs. East – 1:30 p.m. at Junior High School Championship
4A Boys
Friday, May 23
Consolation Round
Rock Springs 3, East 1 – East Eliminated.
Kelly Walsh 3, Riverton 2 Shootout: 4-3 – Riverton Eliminated.
Semi-Finals
Laramie 2, Green River 0
Gillette 2, Central 0
Saturday
Rock Springs vs. Kelly Walsh – 11 a.m. at High School Consolation Championship
Green River vs. Central – 11 a.m. at Junior High School 3rd Place
Laramie vs. Gillette – 3:30 p.m at Junior High School Championship
Girls 3A
Friday
Consolation Round
Jackson 1, Newcastle 0 – Newcastle Eliminated.
Cody 3, Powell 2 – Powell Eliminated.
Semi-Finals
Lander 1, Worland 0 Shootout: 3-1
Buffalo 2, Star Valley 1
Saturday
Jackson vs. Cody – 9 a.m. Consolation Championship
Worland vs. Star Valley – 9 a.m. 3rd Place
Lander vs. Buffalo – 1 p.m. Championship
3A Boys
Friday
Consolation Round
Star Valley 5, Pinedale 0 – Pinedale Eliminated.
Cody 2, Torrington 1 Shootout: 8-7 – Torrington Eliminated.
Semi-Finals
Lander 5, Powell 2
Jackson 2, Buffalo 0
Saturday
Star Valley vs. Cody – 11 a.m. Consolation Championship
Powell vs. Buffalo – 11 a.m. 3rd Place Game
Lander vs. Jackson – 3 p.m. Championship