The Jackson soccer teams came up short in regional play as both the boys and girls were looking to secure a conference championship and top-ranking headed to state.
Jackson’s soccer teams held serve in round one of regional play in Evanston. Both the boys and girls got past their quarterfinal opponents—Green River—with little difficulty.
The girls waltzed their way to a 5-0 win over the Lady Wolves on pair of goals from Selah Hunter and Taya McClennen, along with one from Phoebe Alva Rosa. The boys also pitched a shutout, handling the Wolves 4-0 behind Daniel Huerta’s pair and one each from James Dewell and Rutley Heinemann.
The girls run ended the following day when they met up with a physical Kelly Walsh team who secured a 1-0 victory over the Lady Broncs. Jackson pressed for the tying goal throughout the second half but it just wouldn’t come.
In the semifinals, the boys managed to beat Star Valley for the second time in a week. The 5-2 victory secured Jackson a birth to the championship game where the Broncs faced off against Kelly Walsh, a team they had split the season series with 1-1.
Jackson drew first blood after catching the Trojans keying just a bit too much Broncs leading scorer Teddy Opler. Danny Huerta was left all along in front of the goal for an easy one to give Jackson the 1-0 lead into halftime.
Halfway through the second half Kelly Walsh would draw even on a long-range shot from Brian Serdio that came out of nowhere. It was a perfectly placed kick just over the outstretched reach of Javi Huta and under the crossbar.
The game remained tied through regulation and again through the extra 10-minute OT.
In the penalty kick shootout, it was Kelly Walsh keeper Caden Allaire who came up big and solidified the 2-1 win and the 4A west championship for the Trojans.
The Lady Broncs will bring a 13-4 record to state competition. The boys are 15-2 headed to state.
