Even when goalie Chad Winkler sprung against the grain for a spectacular one-handed robbery of Durango JV standout Lance Townsend's shot towards his back post, a too-little-too-late vibe still could be felt throughout Wolverine Country Stadium Tuesday afternoon.
Three minutes earlier, Demon Jack Beattie's shake of a Bayfield defender deep within the Wolverines' 18 led to a perfect crossing pass to teammate Andrew Saddler, and Saddler's immediate finish in the 67th for an unlikely 3-1 advantage. That was the final score in the BHS boys' last home match of 2016.
Still riding high after last Friday's thrilling 1-1 double-overtime draw at home against Crested Butte Community School on Senior Night, Bayfield simply owned the first half of this fall's second go-round with 4A DHS. BHS outshot the visitors by an 11-3 overall margin, putting six on backstop Caleb McGrath to the Demons' three on Winkler.
After junior Marcus Isiordia nearly broke the ice, fellow junior Colton Fine did so in the 28th minute with a highlight-worthy header of junior Tilden Berriman's spot-on corner kick. Berriman's 72nd-minute strike had equalized the score against Crested Butte.
After drawing a foul against Fine outside Bayfield's penalty area on Tuesday, Durango's Ren Beasley zinged a low free kick through Winkler's gloves to even the score in the 55th and somewhat mute the locals' enthusiasm visibly prevalent at haltime.
Not long after, that thrill was suddenly gone as Townsend drew a foul on BHS senior Steven Knipp inside the area and the Demons were awarded a penalty kick-converted by Beasley for a 2-1 lead in the 63rd. After Saddler struck in swift succession, the Wolverines were pressed into taking opportunities whenever available and no matter how far from DHS' goal they materialized.
With senior regular Austin Bushnell playing the field to help compensate for injured senior Finlay Marshall - lost to a first-half injury against the Titans - as well as previous casualty Jack Ferguson, who watched from the bleachers, Winkler still managed to unofficially collect nine total saves while McGrath nabbed eight.
Now standing 4-6-4 overall and 3-5-3 in league, Bayfield will travel to Crested Butte for this afternoon's 3 p.m. kickoff, bringing the exciting season to a close.
