The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Finish on high note
By Than Acuff
Expectations were high for the Crested Butte Kickers adult coed soccer team as they headed into the Crested Butte adult soccer tournament hosted by the West Elk Soccer Association Saturday and Sunday, June 17-18 that brought in 11 other teams from around the state.
In past home tournaments, the Kickers were a collection of players who just showed up game day looking for a uniform and to play. This year, there was a concerted effort to limit the roster and try to put together a team that could make a run at the tournament title. Adorned in new uniforms compliments of Momentum Landscaping and Blue Spruce Barbershop, the team looked sharp Saturday morning amid snow, rain and snain for their first match of the weekend against Boulder Soccer Collective.
With the defense dialed in for both teams, the first half was mostly spent grinding in the middle third of the field with neither squad getting open looks on net. Boulder eventually broke the seal on the Kickers goal converting on a set piece in the 36th minute to take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Well aware that the game was well within reach, Crested Butte came out in the second half and dictated play up and down the field. Their back line continued to handcuff Boulder’s attack and the Kickers produced several scoring opportunities, but injuries started to take hold of Crested Butte and they never could find the back of the net to fall 1-0.
“We couldn’t find the final pass to the forwards,” says player/manager Tom Lewis. “I felt we were still gelling together and working out when to release a ball to the wings, or into the forwards to run onto but then injuries to myself, Graham (Koval), and Cooper (McNelus) killed some chemistry too with us knowing how each other plays.”
Despite the initial loss, the Kickers were still in the mix to make the semifinals depending on the result in their second match Saturday afternoon against Cuddly BBS.
With injuries to three players, the Kickers adjusted for the second match knowing full well that they needed to win by at least two goals to advance.
“We decided that Jamis (Matlock) should play more to add some creative flair and youth in the midfield and occasionally up front,” explains Lewis.
Cuddly BBS struck first though leaving the Kickers needing three goals to make it to Sunday’s semifinal. Unfortunately, those goals never came as the Kickers fell again 1-0.
“With only one recognized forward left after Graham and I were injured, we had no final third-end product, as Alex (Augusta) was left to do a lot by himself which is tough for any striker,” says Lewis. “I thought our defense and goalkeeper played great in both Saturday games, Cedar (Fessenden) saving a penalty and our defense digging us out of situations when we needed them most. If we had more going forward, I think Saturday’s games would have been totally different.”
The teams recharged from Saturday’s matches with the annual tournament party Saturday night and the Kickers used the time to reconnect and determine a plan for their match Sunday against Hooligans FC out of Durango.
Whatever was discussed and planned that evening had a resounding effect on the Kickers play in their match as they jumped out to a lead and never looked back to finish the weekend with a 4-0 win.
“Sunday’s success was all down to Jamis Matlock and creating space for him by playing as an inside forward,” says Lewis. “Our midfield dug deep and created a lot of chances, and allowed the defense to push forward more too, which created more middle and final third pressure. Once we realized we were the stronger team, I think a lot of players started to be more relaxed and started to show the individual flair they all have.”
The tournament came to an exciting finish Sunday afternoon as GJ FC scored a goal in the final minutes of the game to force overtime and then scored in overtime to take down Cuddly BBS 2-1.
“The tournament was a great success, it was a great final to watch, with last-minute goals and lots of laughs from every team,” says Lewis. “The three new teams who played all fit in super well, no team got blown out of the water every game, and everyone had a lot of fun on Saturday night.”
Down but not out, the Kickers look to regroup through July and then close out the summer with a tournament in Telluride on August 19-20.
