Jackson just can’t solve Natrona

JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Lady Broncs soccer team saw their chance of a top seed in the 4A West melt away at the hands of the Natrona County Fillies Friday morning in a match played in miserable weather conditions.

It was the third meeting between the two teams this season, and in all three not much changed. Natrona bested Jackson in close contests every time, and every time it was the freshman connection for the Fillies that sealed the Broncs’ fate—Saige Gustafson’s speed and Rian Barthel slamming the door shut in goal.

Natrona 3, Jackson 1

Natrona County weathered an early storm of pressure as Jackson backed the Fillies into their own end for the first 20 minutes of the contest Friday morning. When the real storm came (snow blowing in sideways) it was Phoebe Alva Rosa who got the Jackson girls on the board first with a trickler past Barthel for the 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute of the 1st half, just as the weather started to turn ugly.

The lead would be short-lived; the snow wouldn’t.

Just minutes after the Broncs’ goal, Jackson defender Brooklyn Hills was whistled for what looked like a clean slide tackle in the box. The resulting penalty kick was drilled in the upper right corner by Brooke Travers—no chance for keeper Sidney Nash—for the 1-1 tie.

Natrona owned the final few minutes with relentless offensive pressure on the Lady Broncs, but the score remained knotted at 1-1 into halftime.

If Jackson needed a wake-up call to start the 2nd they got one from Nash. The senior keeper was called on to make a brilliant stop in the first few minutes. That inspired the Broncs offense as a Taya McClennen shot sailed just over the crossbar not long after.

But Natrona used the wind to their advantage in the final 40 as they sat back in a box-stacking defense and sailed the ball downfield for their shots. Finally, it clicked with 17:37 left in regulation as the ball made its way to Gustafson on the right wing.

Jackson defender Natalie Joralemon, who struggled with Gustafson’s speed all match, lost inside position on the freshman who centered a ball right past Brooklyn Hills to a wide-open Elise Swan, who momentarily slipped away from her mark, Hannah Freeze. The result was a pointblank boot right between the wickets of Nash and a 2-1 lead the Fillies would never relinquish.

The Lady Broncs had trouble mounting the comeback as the Fillies began turning up the heat after taking the lead. Rather than sit back, Natrona felt inspired after the second goal and kept the pressure on Jackson.

Taya McClennen was sent off for a yellow card late in the game and that pretty much ended any hope the Broncs had of getting back even. A late goal from captain Katelynn Campbell on a crosser by Gustafson put a nail in it for Natrona.

The Lady Broncs played without forward Eva Flanagan (illness) for the second straight day and without fullback Jordan Davis (red card suspension), who had a strong game Thursday against Star Valley.

Next up

With the loss Jackson is now 10-4-2 on the season. They will face Kelly Walsh (8-1-6) for the third time this season. The Lady Trojans lost to Rock Springs 3-0 to head to the consolation round with Jackson. The Broncs and Trojans have tied 2-2 in both their previous meetings. They will play at 9am on Saturday.

Jackson is qualified for state, which gets underway May 19-21 in Cheyenne.