Titans soccer season continues with wins over Montrose and Center

Home game on Friday

Every year the Titans soccer schedule includes a game with the Montrose JV squad. Montrose comes out of the 4A class and therefore it is perceived that a game with their varsity would be a devastating loss.

Unfortunately, the Montrose JV typically provides only a modicum of challenge for the Titans varsity—that is, until this year.
The Montrose JV came to Crested Butte and pushed the limits of the Titans squad until a late game surge from the Titans provided the difference in the game.
Montrose opened the scoring in the 27th minute to take a 1-0 lead into the half.
The Titans regrouped at halftime to play a much stronger second half. Junior Henry Linehan tied the game 1-1 in the 53rd minute scoring on an assist from junior Sam Evans.
The Titans continued to press looking for the game winner led by a strong effort from the midfielders.
Their effort proved fortuitous as freshman Graham Koval turned on a pass at the top of the penalty area and found sophomore Collin Dill crashing the far post for the game-winning goal.
The Titans returned to league play when they hit the road to face the Ridgway Demons on Friday, September 18.
The Demons continued their oppression of the Crested Butte Titans with their sixth win over Crested Butte in a row over the past three seasons.
It’s the same story every time as the Demons defense proves nearly impenetrable as they hold on for their offense to push just one goal in.
The tactic worked once again as the Demons handed Crested Butte a 1-0 loss in Ridgway.
Ridgway opened the game in control holding possession of the ball the first five minutes as the Titans scrambled to find their wits for the game.
Fortunately, pure hustle by the Titans squad held the Demons in check until Crested Butte could regain their composure and take control of the game.
Still the Demon defense proved impenetrable. Both Evans and freshman Jesse Reeves managed to push by their defenders on the outside but the Ridgway team collapsed into their own penalty area to shut off any and all opportunities in front of their net.
Ridgway broke the scoreless tie early in the second half converting on a direct kick from 20 yards out.
The Demons threatened to break the game open 10 minutes later on another set play but junior goalie Ben Frame pulled off a miraculous save to push the ball wide and keep the Titans within striking distance.
With time waning, the Titans pressed the final 10 minutes but their shots flew wide of the net or into the hands of the Demon keeper leaving the Titans with their first league loss of the season.
Crested Butte returned home on Saturday, September 19 to host league opponent Center at Rainbow Field.
While the Center Vikings continue to find their niche in the league, they’ve shocked the Titans in the past.
This year, the game started as veritable Titan nightmare as they struggled to play the team game of soccer. Several Crested Butte players opted to dribble and only to give up the ball on several occasions to a waiting Viking player.
Meanwhile, the typically organized Titans defense was anything but as they stumbled over each other trying to mark the lone Center striker.
The confusion ended in disaster as a Center midfielder broke free 25 yards out and shot only to have the ball bounce past Frame giving the Vikings a 1-0 lead.
The situation garnered drastic measures and junior midfielder Mick Osmundson took it upon himself to rally the team. After calling for his teammates to wake up. Osmundson gathered a loose ball 20 yards out and drove his shot top shelf to tie the game 1-1.
Four minutes later, the Titans struck again as Linehan stepped on a high ball to drive his shot low for a 2-1 Titans lead at halftime.
The assault continued in the second half as Koval netted two goals, Osmundson and Linehan each scored again and seniors Jenner Currier and Connor McGuire added a goal apiece for the 8-2 Titans win.
Crested Butte will host Telluride on Friday, September 25 at Rainbow Field at 4 p.m. before heading southwest to face Pagosa Springs on Saturday, September 26.