Wolves defeat rivals, sets sights on state

The Green River High School boy's soccer team keeps finding a little magic to pull through and seal a victory.

The Wolves picked up two dramatic shootout victories at last weeks' 4A West Regional in Rock Springs and advanced to play at this weeks state tournament.

Coming into the regionals as a third seed, Green River qualified for the state tournament in Rock Springs, with a 2-1 victory over Kelly Walsh. The game was tied at the end of overtime before the Wolves punched their ticket to state with a 4-2 advantage in penalty kicks. After a 3-1 loss Friday to Riverton, Green River finished third at the tournament after a 3-2 win Saturday over rival Rock Springs. The Wolves had a 3-1 edge in penalty kicks to seal the victory.

"It is always good to get a win and to win in a PK shootout after four lightning delays and almost five hours on or near the pitch was bittersweet," head coach Chris Bieber said. Green River (12-7-1) will open the state tournament Thursday at 1:30 p.m. against Cheyenne East (8-6-4). Bieber said East is clicking at the right time of year and have a belief in their first-year head coach, but Green River will rise to the occasion.

"We need to get focused and stay focused. We do not want to hang with them this week; we need to just stay consist any with our game play and when we take the lead, we need to finish knowing that we can. They need to believe in themselves and each other," he said.