ROCK SPRINGS – After a good showing at the Casper Jamborees this past weekend, the Rock Springs Soccer squads cranked it up on Tuesday as they hit the road for the first conference battle of the year against Riverton.
For the Lady Tigers, the march to get back to State this year has begun. They opened the season going 2-1 at the Casper Jamborees. At Casper, instead of playing full 40 minute halves, the teams play 26 minute halves. Many teams use the Jamborees to shake off the rust and start getting back into competitive playing shape.
On Tuesday, games went back to 40 minute halves, and the Lady Tigers were ready to get the first conference win of the season. Riverton felt the effects of Springs Break as they Lady Wolverines only had 13 players for the game.
For the first 30 minutes of the game, Riverton played strong and took a one-point lead. With 10 minutes left in the half, the Lady Tigers evened the game on a shot from DiAnna Moreno. That would be the way it would stay as the teams headed into the break.
With Riverton short players, the Lady Tigers took advantage, and it was all Rock Springs in the second half. With 14 minutes gone in the second half, Madison Cantrell gave Rock Springs the lead. Both Moreno and Cantrell scored again for the Lady Tigers and Katie Noomen also added a goal as Rock Springs exploded for five second-half goals to take the 6-1 lead.
Rock Springs Tigers
The Tigers had one win and two ties to start the season in Casper. The Rock Springs defense was strong: only allowing two goals in the three games. After winning the first game against Cheyenne Central, 3-1, the Tiger’s offense only managed one goal in the final two games.
On the other side, Riverton exploded out of the gate to start the season winning its first four games of the year.
On Tuesday, the Tigers defense again looked incredibly strong but the Wolverines matched the intensity. Neither team was able to score after the first 40 minutes of play.
The teams continued to battle in the second half as defense continued to dominate the game. Closing in almost 70 minutes of scoreless play, the Wolverines were finally able to break through for a goal. Riverton scored with 12 minutes left, and that would be the way it would stay as the Wolverines took the first meeting, 1-0.
Tiger Head Coach Sean Grube said the team played well but needs to find the back of the net.
“Today, our team possessed the ball well, we just unfortunately were unable to find the back of the net,” Grube told SweetwaterNOW on Tuesday. “Our defense is working well together and doing a great job of stopping the offensive attack. We just need to find a way to generate more offense.”
Up Next
For most teams around the state, they will enjoy a break as schools are out for Springs Break. The Rock Springs squads will be one which will get a break and will not face an opponent for the next eight days.
The Tigers and Lady Tigers will return to the field on April 9 as they will travel to Green River for the first battle with the Wolves squads. Both Green River teams opened the season with conference wins over Evanston, but both the Wolves and Lady Wolves lost two of three at the Casper Jamborees.
After facing off against Green River, the Rock Springs teams will play their first home games on April 14 as they host Evanston.
Rankings
On Wednesday, WyoPreps released the first team rankings of the season. Gillette tops the 4A boys list while Riverton is ranked second. Laramie, Natrona and Cheyenne East round out the top five.
On the girl’s side, defending 4A State Champions Cheyenne East hold down the top spot followed by Sheridan, the team they beat in the title game last year. Gillette, Cheyenne Central and Laramie round out the top five.
Week One Rankings
4A Boys
1 Gillette
2 Riverton
3 Laramie
4 Natrona
5 East
3A Boys
1 Jackson
2 Lander
3 Worland
4 Buffalo
5 Rawlins
4A Girls
1 East
Sheridan
Gillette
Central
Laramie
3A Girls
1 Star Valley
2 Worland
3 Cody
4 Buffalo
5 Lander
