Perhaps the biggest test for the Manitou Springs boys soccer team was going to be how it responded to its first losses of the season. Vanguard and Thomas McLaren, two talented teams, beat the Mustangs, and coach Ben Mack was eager to see how the players reacted.
The result in the ensuing game was a 1-1 tie against Bayfield, which wasn’t the desired outcome. But it certainly was encouraging, considering how talented the Wolverines are.
“We kept it clean, under control and focused,” Mack said. “For every single minute of the second half, we thought we were going to win. And those are rough.”
The toughest part is that the offense has slowed down a bit. The Mustangs (4-3-1 overall) hadn’t been held scoreless all season until the 3-0 loss to Thomas McLaren on Sept. 13.
To make matters worse, Deric French hadn’t given up a goal in the first four games of the year, but has let seven get by him in the past three games.
The good news for the Mustangs is that they have a few games coming up that should get them back on track. Colorado Springs Christian School has an uncharacteristic 0-6 record, but will likely give the Mustangs a good challenge considering the rivalry between the two teams.
“Pretty much from here on out, we’re going to be playing teams that are really similar to Bayfield, Vanguard and Gunnison,” Mack said.
“Our league is very similar to that and those games will all be close. It’s going to be that belief in each other that … tips us over into that win column. Hopefully, we can win them all or get close to that.”
The Mustangs take on Colorado Springs Christian School at home on Thursday, Sept. 22, then host Ellicott one week later.