The Pagosa Springs High School Pirate boys’ soccer team will be kicking off its season this weekend with a home match against the Central Grand Junction Warriors at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Golden Peaks Stadium.
The Pirates will then begin league play on Tuesday, Sept. 3, hosting the Montezuma-Cortez Panthers at 4:30 p.m.
Coach Trevor Gian explained that the team has had some “pretty good preseason workouts,” which included a trip to Montrose for a couple of scrimmages.
Gian mentioned the program has 27 players on the roster to make up a varsity and junior varsity team, adding that number may change a little with kids coming back for the start of the school year.
He noted that the varsity team will have two seniors, seven juniors, three sophomores and probably five freshmen.
Gian is in his first year leading the team, after coaching the Lady Pirates’ soccer team last spring.
He explained that he worked with the Pagosa Rangers soccer club for 10 years, serving as the director of coaching for five.
He spoke about wanting to “set a culture and kind of build from there” in taking over the boys team.
“We’re definitely trying to figure out our identity,” he said, explaining that the team will be relying on its upperclassmen and experienced players to help lay the groundwork for the program.
Gian mentioned the team has been focusing on communication, understanding formation, being aggressive and putting a solid effort through its preseason training sessions.
“Communication is always huge,” he added, mentioning good communication and being the first to the ball can help dictate a game.
“We’re just trying to build that up right now,” Gian said.
He explained that he wants the team to be able to find ways to contend and be a tough opponent for any team.
“If you’re going to be playing Pagosa, it’s going to be a tough one,” Gian said, adding that the Pirates should be able to “come home proud of ourselves at least knowing we’re building something.”
Gian explained that he anticipates the Pirates being competitive in league play this season, but that they will have some tough games against quality teams outside of the league.
He mentioned that Central Grand Junction is going to be a physical, fast and quality opponent.
Gian added that how the Pirates respond to the first official match of the season will be important for getting comfortable in the game atmosphere.
Schedule
The following schedule was accurate as of Tuesday, Aug. 27, but is subject to change.
After the match against Central Grand Junction on Aug. 31 and the match against Montezuma-Cortez on Sept. 3, the Pirates will go on a series of road games starting with Aztec Tigers in Aztec, N.M., on Sept. 7 at 11 a.m.
Next they will travel to Denver to take on DSST: Montview at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11.
The Pirates will then head to Manitou Springs on Sept. 14, to face off against the Manitou Springs Mustangs at 11 a.m.
On Sept. 17, the Pirates will match up against the Crested Butte in Crested Butte at 4 p.m.
On Sept. 21, the Pirates will host a league match up against the Alamosa Mean Moose at 10 a.m.
The Pirates will then get back on the road to face off against Taos in Taos, N.M., at 4 p.m. on Sept. 24.
On Oct. 1, the Pirates will host another league opponent, the Bayfield Wolverines, at 4 p.m.
The Pirates will then travel on Oct. 4 to take on Montezuma-Cortez in Cortez at 4 p.m. and head to Alamosa on Oct. 12 to take on the Mean Moose at 10 a.m.
The Pirates will also be on the road on Oct. 15 in Bayfield, facing off against the Wolverines at 4 p.m.
The last home game of the regular season will be on Oct. 18, with the Pirates taking on Fruita Monument at 4 p.m.
The last regular season game will be in Leadville on Oct. 19, with the Pirates taking on the Lake County Panthers at 1 p.m.
