Titans soccer season ends at state in first round loss

Suffer a Basalt assault

The Crested Butte Titans high school soccer season came to an abrupt halt on Wednesday, October 22, losing to Basalt in the first round of the state soccer tournament 7-0.
It’s an all too familiar scenario for Titans soccer as they have qualified for the state tournament the last five years in a row only to fall in the first round every time.
The Titans were at the end of a strong season finishing the regular season with a record of 11-3 and finishing in second place in their league.
The Titans opened the game in control the first 10 minutes conjuring up hopes of a win against the perennial powerhouse from the Roaring Fork Valley.
The Titans fired off two quick shots threatening to open the scoring but Basalt held on to deny the Titans the back of the net.
Unfortunately for the Titans, Basalt would put a swift end to any hopes for the Titans to advance.
The rally breaker came in the 11th minute when Basalt converted on a direct kick from 30 yards out to take a 1-0 lead.
Basalt continued to press the ball into the Titans end, firing off a number of shots but sophomore goalie Ben Frame came up with several solid saves to keep the game close.
The Titans defense, anchored by senior Jeremy Clayton, was diligent in holding off the Basalt strikers, but the second wave of Basalt midfielders caused the most trouble for the Titans defense.
Basalt took a 2-0 lead, scoring in the final three minutes of the first half to carry a 2-0 lead into halftime.
Basalt opened the second half on fire, looking to put the game away early and deny the Titans any hope of a comeback.
After rattling off three unanswered goals, Basalt was sitting comfortably on a 5-0 lead midway through the second half.
The Titans opened up play on the outside as seniors Robbie Holleran and Jack Linehan looked to connect up front and senior John Wright fought for every loose ball but the five Basalt defenders proved impenetrable.
Holleran fired a shot on a direct kick off the crossbar but that was it for threats on the Basalt goal, as Basalt added two more goals in the end for the 7-0 win.