Aiming for consecutive Southwest League championships in 2024 under new guidelines
CORTES – After two seasons without a program, the Montezuma Cortez girls soccer team wasted little time laying the foundation for the future.
Over the past two years, the Panthers have transformed into one of the best teams on the Western Slope, entering the spring season as two-time defending Southwest League champions.
Montezuma-Cortez will hire new coach Melody Harris for the 2024 season with hopes of continuing this momentum.
Harris will have plenty of depth as leading scorer Jordy Marler returns to the team along with senior Anna Jensen and junior Emily Howell. Howell led the team in assists a year ago.
For Harris, the ambition is clear early in the season.
“The goal is to build on last season's success, but with an emphasis on playing fundamentally sound football,” the Panthers' first-year coach said.
Anna Jensen, 11, of Montezuma Cortez, pictured here in March 2022, is one of the Panthers' key returning players for the 2024 season. (Joel Priest/Herald special reporter)
Senior Grace Dallin anchored a stingy Panther defense that barely allowed just one goal per game en route to an undefeated league record last year.
Harris also serves as an assistant coach for Dolores' wrestling program and brings a wealth of knowledge to the position. Harris, who played soccer all the way through college, believes he wants to emulate the coaches who guided his playing career.
“I feel a sense of purpose in the opportunity to give back to young athletes and be a mentor to them,” Harris said. “My coaches have had a tremendous impact on my development, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to positively impact the youth of Montezuma County.”
As has been the case for years, the program continues to integrate Montezuma Cortez and Dolores students, allowing their on-field chemistry to continue. Harris hopes the friendships developed will help the Panthers overcome the inevitable challenges of a long season.
“I want to see a group of girls with positive attitudes and exemplary sportsmanship who remain calm in the face of any adversity,” Harris said.
The Panthers, who narrowly missed out on a huge upset against Delta in last year's 3A state tournament opener, are hoping to advance further in the postseason as the next step.
To get there, Harris is counting on upperclassmen like Jensen, Mahler and Dallin to take on leadership roles that will provide a steadying influence on the field.
“They're coachable, they're ready to put in the work without complaining, and those are traits that every coach can appreciate,” Harris said.
Montezuma Cortez began his campaign in Durango on Saturday. The Panthers will play four of their next five games at home, starting Tuesday against Bayfield at 4 p.m.
The five-game road trip in April will speak volumes about the Panthers' hopes of winning the league. He will then return home to close out the regular season with games against Pagosa Springs and Delta.