PINEDALE – A tighter defense by the Pinedale Lady Wranglers’ soccer team in the second half of the April 27 game against the Lander Lady Tigers prevented a routing by Lander.

A ferocious, relentless wind barreled down as the players battled for the lead in the first half. Lander pulled ahead, 6-0, at halftime.

Undaunted, the Lady Wranglers rallied in a well-executed second half and Pinedale responded with a coordinated defense to hold the Lady Tigers to only two goals in the final 40 minutes.

The Lady Wranglers’ ability to rebound under pressure bodes well for future games, said Head Coach Shanda Jensen.

“This season, we have had rough starts to games,” Jensen added. “We turned this one around much quicker than the previous games and played an excellent second half.”

The Lady Wranglers kept Lander on its feet in the second quarter. Sophomore goalie Samantha Brannan grabbed a pair of saves. Fellow sophomore Cora Koci swept in to defend the goal area with a steal. Avery Hughes, also a sophomore, cleared the ball.

Defensive hustle by Hughes, freshman Mia Lehr and senior Miros Gutierrez prevented the Lady Tigers from scoring. Brannan stepped up with three more saves and Mia Lehr maneuvered the ball out of Lady Wrangler territory.

Lander managed to break through and score two goals before Brannan answered with a trio of saves. Junior Anna Lehr led the Pinedale offense on an attack late in the second half.

Pinedale traveled to Lander for a rematch on Thursday, May 4. Results were not available at press time.

Pinedale hosts Green River on Friday, May 5 with the Lady Wranglers playing at 3 p.m. followed by the Wranglers at 5 p.m. Saturday features a home game against Powell with game times at 10 a.m. for the Lady Wranglers and 12 p.m. for the Wranglers.