EAGLE-VAIL – Battle Mountain edged Glenwood Springs, 3-2, Thursday on the strength of an Andy Banner hat trick, his second of the season.

“It’s good for Andy because he’s really been struggling,” Huskies coach David Cope said. “So, for him to burst out for three at home – he seems to like to play on this field.”

Banner was spraying the kudos around to teammates after the game.

“Chris Gavin had the game of his life,” the junior said. “Tyler (Cole) almost scored on his header. Dane (Jacobs) got his goal robbed. Josh Ruark came in and contributed. Kyle Moore was nagging people in the box. That was amazing. It was a team effort.”

That would certainly describe Banner’s first goal in the fifth minute. The Huskies’ Julio Garcia took the ball down the left side, and served it toward the mouth of the net. Battle Mountain’s Harrison Brown just missed the ball, but Banner was there on the right to slam his shot into the left corner.

In the 12th minute it was Antonio Aparacio to Banner and the Huskies led 2-0. The rest of the first half was scoreless. In the middle of the second half, Juan Barragon played a nice, long ball to Banner, who rammed it into the net for a seemingly comfortable 3-0 lead.

Both of Glenwood goals came on kicks awarded by the referees. Morris Courtade scored on a beautiful, direct kick from 30 yards out. Battle Mountain got called for a hand ball in the box late in the game and Glenwood’s Pat Shepard was more than happy to oblige with a penalty-kick goal.

The game had huge playoff implications for both teams. Battle Mountain moved to 4-2 in league, tied in points with Delta (4-3), who lost to Rifle, 2-0, Tuesday.

As for Glenwood, the defending 4A Slope champs, fell to 2-5 in league play.

“We’re going to be sitting and watching the playoffs, instead of being in the playoffs,” Glenwood coach Bob Guska said. “These guys are just not playing inspired ball.”

Glenwood is next in action Tuesday at home against Palisade at 6 p.m.