CORTEZ – If 2025 was a foundation year, the Montezuma-Cortez High School girls soccer team has the pieces to build something even bigger.
The Panthers earned their first home playoff game last year as a high-scoring group of underclassmen took the reins, and third-year head coach Melody Harris has no intention of her team slowing down anytime soon.
With the new campaign underway, M-CHS has added depth to its roster, somehow becoming even younger in the process, while positioning itself for an Intermountain League title push this spring.
Almost 75% of the Panthers’ goals came from underclassmen last year in a nine-win season that matched the 2023 team as one of the best in program history, and M-CHS returns that core this year with hopes of earning its third league title in the past five years.
Sophomore Mia Glazner, whose flexibility as an attacking midfielder or striker gives opposing defenses fits, returns as the team’s top scorer from a year ago, while classmate Kyndall Schmitt returns to the pitch after a breakout basketball season. The duo combined for 22 goals in their debut varsity seasons, while fellow Class of 2028 striker Emilynn Hill adds quickness to an aggressive Panthers front line.
In the middle, junior Kaybree Smith, sophomore Jordyn Erautt and classmate Amani Lobato control the central part of the Panthers’ midfield spine, bringing energy and athleticism to Harris’ group, along with added experience after each played significant minutes during the 2025 season.
The program’s lone senior, Camryn Oliver, anchors the back line that also includes junior Ivy Gray and sophomore Sadie Maxwell, while freshman Raya Hall joins the back four in front of second-year starting goalkeeper Raegan Veach.
The Panthers allowed just 16 goals all season last spring and hope for a similarly low total this year. Several newcomers add depth across multiple positions, as the Panthers look to wear down opponents with a relentless attack and multiple scoring options.
Schmitt and Hill both scored in the Panthers’ 0-1 season opener against Ridgway on March 17, but M-CHS could not preserve a 2-1 lead early in the second half. The Demons tallied three goals in quick succession to secure a 4-2 victory in the Panthers’ home opener.
M-CHS will meet Ridgway again on April 25, and in the meantime will face a challenging nonleague schedule that includes Durango on April 14, along with matches against Grand Junction and Grand Junction Central to close the regular season. The demanding slate is designed to prepare the Panthers for another postseason run.
M-CHS will host Telluride over Spring Break on Thursday, March 26, with a 3 p.m. kickoff, followed by three consecutive road matches.
The stretch is headlined by a meeting with 2025 Intermountain League champion Alamosa on April 3 to open league play. The Panthers open home league action April 7 against Bayfield, one of five home matches on the regular-season schedule. Senior Day is set for April 18 with the home finale against Pagosa Springs.
