Bunting nets two in Bulldogs’ 2-0 win

GYPSUM — When Palisade’s Kristee Bunting is healthy, she’ll be even more dangerous.

Bunting had two second-half goals in Thursday’s game against Eagle Valley in Gypsum, leading the Bulldogs to a 2-0 win.

“She was pretty injured,” Bulldogs’ coach Luann Ehlers said of Bunting. “But once you score a goal, you forget it.”

Eagle Valley outchanced and outshot Palisade in both halves, and by a much greater margin in the first 40 minutes.

“I feel like the score didn’t reflect our play at all,” said Eagle Valley coach Jenn Marut. “I feel like we outplayed them and they got two lucky breaks.”

Palisade freshman goalie Amelia Davis stopped 12 shots, including several great chances by Eagle Valley forward Nicole Luczkow.

Bunting got her team on the board only six minutes into the second half with a header off a corner kick. Palisade’s Lindsey Yaetes sent a ball into the Devils’ box, and the tall Bunting redirected the ball into the top right of the net.

Minutes later, Eagle Valley’s Yvette Parra led Luczkow with a great pass, and the speedy Luczkow broke in past a Palisade defender and sent a shot just wide of the right post.

In the 61st minute of the game, Bunting broke in behind the Eagle Valley defense on a long pass, and beat Devils’ keeper Mary Cochrane with a left-footed shot into the upper-right corner.

Even in the dying minutes of the game, Eagle Valley’s forwards pressed the Palisade defense, which didn’t allow any shots to come from the center of the field.

“I think Eagle Valley has some great forwards that are very dangerous and made our defense very nervous,” Ehlers said. “I’m really happy with our defense.”

The Devils were able to generate offensive chances from good midfield ball movement and a solid backline. As usual, Sarah Hoza controlled the defense for Eagle Valley, while Tania Silva, Samantha Villa and Parra all had good touches.

“These girls are really starting to come along and play more aggressive,” Marut said. “But it’s heartbreaking when are outplaying the other team and can’t connect.”

Eagle Valley had several injured players on the bench.

“They had to stay in the whole time and didn’t have fresh legs, so that was rough on them as well,” Marut said.

With the win, Palisade improved to 4-6-1, while Eagle Valley dropped to 2-8.