COLORADO SPRINGS — The contest that nearly unfolded last year came to fruition this year. Bishop Machebeuf and Crested Butte had a full year to think about being ousted from last year’s bracket in the semifinals. A full year to let their determination build up and spill over into today’s 2A soccer finale.
The two teams battled through the first 40 minutes with only hints of any game-changing moments. Bishop Machebeuf controlled the ball with a patient, high-percentage passing game, but couldn’t puncture the Crested Butte defense for a goal.
Both teams generated isolated opportunities in the first half, but a pair of nice saves from Joseph Sudderth of Crested Butte and Brendan McGarrity of Bishop Machebeuf kept the score knotted at zeros.
Early in the second half, it became apparent that a single goal might well win this game between two high-octane offenses. But, there was an obvious change in Crested Butte’s approach from first half to second.
“Bishop is an incredibly skilled team, and they play a great game of possession,” explained CB coach Than Acuff. “Then at halftime, I tell them, ‘Okay, guys, nice time is over. It’s time to bring the big guns. You guys have 40 minutes to take over this game.”
As Crested Butte began disrupting the Buffaloes’ passing lanes, better opportunities started to come. The big opportunity came with 25:30 remaining on the clock, when midfielder Marin Gardner pilfered a Bishop Machebeuf pass at the center of the field. Teammate Sawyer Barney instantly broke wide, took a pass, and found himself one-on-one with McGarrity.
“I cut in, tried to open up the best shot, and then I just ripped it as hard as I can,” offered a smiling Barney as the glow of a state title began to sink in. The ball went screaming past McGarrity’s right hand and into the net.
A one-goal edge is a worthwhile advantage in a game like this, but the Buffaloes weren’t done yet.
Machebeuf jettisoned their patient passing attack late in the game, pressing hard into the Crested Butte defense. Several shots were launched from around the perimeter of the box. Their two best opportunities came at 10:00 when a Jose Acosta pass found John Alex Gram open on the right side, but Gram couldn’t get enough control of the ball to launch a shot before the Titan defense closed the window of opportunity. Gram would have a wide-open shot at the net at 4:43, but his missile flew over the outstretched hand of Sudderth and, ultimately, just over the net as well.
It wasn’t until the Titans cleared the ball upfield with 1:30 remaining that Acuff felt any sense of security about the eventual outcome.
For Crested Butte, it was a dream season come true. Nothing about the start of the season portended the eventual outcome.
“This is a whole different crew from last year. We lost 14 seniors off last year’s team,” ventured Acuff. “We knew this was going to be a struggle. We honestly thought this was going to be a rebuilding year. Then, about two-thirds of the way through the season, it’s like, ‘Holy smokes, we got a pretty good squad. Let’s see what can happen!’”
What happened was a story that exemplifies all that is special about high school sports.
The fact that this was Crested Butte’s fourth state soccer title pales against the triumph of a few young men who many penciled in as fodder for the field at the beginning of the season.