Titans soccer cruises to win over Caprock

Tough challenge ahead

[ by Than Acuff ]

While the Titans were fairly sure they would slide by league opponent Caprock Academy on Tuesday, October 5, the game served as a good jumping off point for their next challenge.

Crested Butte faced Caprock earlier this season cruising to a 10-0 win so the primary goal was to not give up a goal. Coach Bob Piccaro also wanted to see some more from the team to see if they were on the right page.

“I wanted to see crisp play and good first touches and get everyone a touch on the ball and get them tuned up for the big game later in the week,” says Piccaro. “For the most part, they did it.”

The Titans wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Blue Gardner netted the first goal of the game off an assist from Grayson White two minutes into the game. Jacob Bernholtz then collected an errant goal kick to score three minutes later, Nathan Sawyer played a shot from 25 yards out over the keeper next and then Bernholtz scored off an assist from Gardner for a quick 4-0 lead 16 minutes into the game.

Piccaro used the rest of the half to get other players into the game and see who was in tune and who was not as far as his expectations on the field and for the most part, the Titans rose to his expectations.

Charles Young chased down a cross on the end line and dropped the ball to Thomas Nichols for the Titans’ fifth goal. Kaiden Marziano then blasted a shot from 35 yards out for another Titans’ strike and Baden Garmhausen finished the half scoring in the 38th minute for a 7-0 Titans’ lead.

“We need those guys and getting them time helped build more confidence,” says Piccaro.

White started things off for Crested Butte in the second half when he collected an errant goal kick and slipped it into the low corner five minutes into the second half. Ten minutes later Marin Gardner found the back of the net and the Titans spent the remainder of the game getting players crucial time and fine tuning additional aspects of their game to finish with the 9-0 win.

“Parts of the game further confirmed some need more work and others are getting better,” says Piccaro. “Other guys are stepping up and the starting core is getting used to playing with them. It was good to get them used to playing as a unit in a game format.”
The Titans have a big game on Thursday, October 7 when they head to Ridgway to face the Demons. The Titans beat Ridgway 5-0 earlier in the season but the Demons are always a formidable opponent later in the season and on their home field. Add into the mix that the Titans are struggling with some injuries and they will have their hands full against Ridgway.

“We miss the guys that are injured but we’ll just have to rely on others to step up,” says Piccaro. “I think they know what’s ahead of them and I think they’re ready.”

The Titans then head into the October Break and will take a week off before returning to action when they face Alamosa on the road on Tuesday, October 19.