The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
First home game Saturday, September 18
The bad news is the Crested Butte Titans soccer team’s record is now 1-4. The good news is that they have yet to start league play.
The Titans lost their fourth game of the year last Friday to Salida, losing 2-0. Salida is the ultimate litmus test for the Titans with a squad of skilled players under the tutelage of a seasoned and respected veteran coach with a state title to his name.
Both coach Than Acuff and Mike Martin have put their team to the test in the early stages of the season, asking them to adjust to a new line-up.
Progress has been slow thus far and the final exam was the Salida game.
“We decided that if they didn’t pass the test against Salida, we would scrap the entire plan and return to a basic line-up before our first league game,” says coach Than Acuff.
After the first 15 minutes of play against Salida, the Titans looked as if they were on the right track for the season. Control was established in the midfield and play was starting to open up on offense.
But Salida’s patience with the ball soon took effect, and they found a striker breaking free for a pass to score.
Ten minutes later, Salida struck again on a rebound from a direct kick and the Titans were down 2-0 at the half.
The Titans regained possession of the game in the second half. Sophomore Dylan Curtiss was called in to play defense and shut down Salida’s striker. Junior captain Ben Reaman was also moved to a new position and senior captain Henry Linehan took charge as distributor on offense.
The new mix offered up numerous chances for the Titans but their shooting proved erratic as they struggled to hit the final touch and find the back of the net.
“We had our chances but failed to finish,” says Acuff. “At least it appears they’re starting to get the new line-up—now we can spend time on the finishing touch.”
The Titans head to Telluride on Thursday, September 16 for their first league game of the season.
They play their first home game of the year at Rainbow Field on Saturday, September 18 when they host defending league champion Ridgway at 11 a.m.
“We have a tough opening to league play,” says Acuff.
