Titan girls’ soccer falls to Telluride

“Just need to fix a few things and it’ll come together”

[  by Than Acuff  ]

After a strong start opening half against the Telluride Miners, the Crested Butte Titans girls’ soccer team eventually fell prey to their speed falling 5-0 to the Miners on Friday, March 25. 

The Titans continued to work on various aspects of their game and shape the week leading up to the much anticipated Telluride match as the Miners had knocked Crested Butte out of the state tournament in the semifinals last year.

“They were ready for it, that’s for sure,” says coach Heather Culley.

That energy played out in the opening minutes of the game and the entire first half as the Titans stepped up their effort in a number of ways.

“It was the most aggressive I’ve ever seen them start a game,” says Culley. “They came out physical which is rare for them.”

The effort did open up a couple scoring chances for the Titans but their shots were turned away or missed the mark and the Miners eventually capitalized late in the first half to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.

“We got caught walking on that one,” says Culley. “Overall though they were putting stuff we worked on together, the things we had worked on in practice and the things we’d seen in Aspen came back. They were being aggressive and fighting for it. They wanted it and confidence was high.”

The Titans’ confidence took a hit though as Telluride scored a couple of goals midway through the second half that dashed Crested Butte’s chance to avenge last year’s loss. The Miners then tacked on two more toward the end to hand the Titans a 5-0 loss.

“After that third goal we just shut down,” says Culley. “I think we got tired toward the end and they started sending the ball over the top and running on to it with their speed.”

While the recent loss dropped the Titans record to 0-4, there’s no need for panic as three of those losses came at the hands of bigger non-league opponents, which is expected to pay off as the season progresses.

“I think we’re in a pretty good place,” says Culley. “We just need to fix a few things and it’ll start to come together.”

The Titans next two games are a mix of opponents as they face Buena Vista, who they beat 1-0 in the state quarterfinals last year, and then head on the road to face Ignacio, a team that typically struggles each year.

“That should help boost some confidence,” says Culley.