Basketball is the top priority when it comes to Ignacio High School sports, so girls soccer head coach Oscar Cosio didn’t blame some players for skipping a home game to go support the Bobcats in Pueblo.

While the IHS boys basketball team was busy preparing for a state quarterfinal game in Pueblo, the girls soccer team opened its regular season with a home match against Center.

The Bobcats (0-1) fell 5-1 while playing with only 11 players. Some players traveled to watch the basketball team, some players still are nursing injuries and others missed the game for an academic trip to Denver.

“We played great being down members. We weren’t sure what was happening or if we would have enough for a full squad, but I was proud of the girls for how they competed,” Cosio said. “Some of the girls have never played before, and they showed a lot of promise.”

Tristan Vickers-Boone scored the only goal for Ignacio. She scored on a penalty kick after Center was called for a handball in the box.

“Center always gives us a good battle,” Cosio said.

The young Bobcats team, which has only two seniors, will have around 20 players when the full roster returns to the field for practice Monday.

Ignacio had two games previously scheduled that were postponed because of inclement weather. The Bobcats won’t play again until March 21 against Pagosa Springs.

heraldsports@durangoherald.com