Broncs best Lander 2-1

After Nelson’s first goal in the opening half, Lander dropped a ball into no-man’s land and did something teams have had difficulty doing lately, scored against the Broncs.

“They got it in between a couple of us, and we were fighting the wind a little bit,” defender Wilkins Radakovich said. “It’s something we aren’t used to.”

The Tigers appeared to have a little better game plan than in the previous game where these two met, leading to a 4-2 win for Cody.

“I thought Lander played a really good first half,” coach Randy Rockey said. “That ball just got over the defenders’ heads and kind of made Evan Owen have to make a quick decision, but that’s not something we see Lander do a lot of.”

That was an answer to Nelson’s goal around 10 minutes earlier, another highlight reel score for the senior who drew a crowd, weaved through the traffic and drilled one in.

“Lander played us a little better and I thought they had a pretty good plan,” Nelson said. “It had been a while since anyone scored on us.”

If it was going to happen, the first half of a home game against a team you had beaten earlier in the season might have been a good time.

“It’s better we give up that goal and get it over with rather than give one up at state,” Rockey said. “And we know Green River is going to be a challenge.”

Nelson broke the tie late in the second half on a penalty kick that found the back of the net to help the Broncs to their sixth win in a row, which will more than likely retain their No. 3 state ranking.

“We are playing with a lot of confidence right now,” Rockey said. “But we expect teams to make adjustments and play us well.”

They head into Thursday’s matchup with Green River at 10-3, 9-2 in conference play as they wrap up the regular season.

Green River will host the state Tournament on May 18-20.