CHSAANow

Category: Boys Soccer

  • Photos: Fort Lupton upsets No. 8 Niwot in boys soccer

    NIWOT — Fort Lupton boys soccer handed Niwot its first loss this season in upsetting the eighth-ranked Cougars 4-2 on Wednesday in Class 4A action.

  • Denver East, Coal Ridge new No. 1 teams in boys soccer rankings

    Denver East toppled Pine Creek last week. This week, the Angels took Pine Creek’s spot atop the Class 5A boys soccer rankings.

    Denver East received six of the 13 first-place votes and garnered 111 over points in moving up three places to No. 1 in this week’s CHSAANow.com ranking. Pine Creek, which still got three first-place votes, dropped to No. 2.

    Smoky Hilll moved up six places to No. 3 this week following wins over Rangeview and Heritage last week. The Buffaloes’ lone loss is to Denver East this season.

    The 5A poll also got three new teams this week: No. 8 Adams City, No. 9 Fossil Ridge and No. 10 Chatfield.

    There’s also a new No. 1 team in 3A, where Coal Ridge takes over for Salida. That poll added four new teams: No. 5 Pagosa Springs (which knocked off Salida), No. 8 Peak to Peak, No. 9 Arrupe Jesuit and No. 10 Crested Butte.

    Coal Ridge and Salida play on Saturday.

    Air Academy, 4A’s top team, stayed put this week. But that class also has three newcomers: No. 8 Niwot, No. 9 Montrose and No. 10 Littleton.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday.

    Complete rankings for are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Boys Soccer Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Denver East (6) 2-1-0 111 4 1-0-0
    2 Pine Creek (3) 2-1-1 95 1 0-1-0
    3 Smoky Hill (2) 3-1-0 94 9 2-0-0
    4 Rock Canyon (2) 2-1-1 84 2 1-1-0
    5 Heritage 3-1-1 71 3 1-1-0
    6 Fort Collins 3-0-1 56 7 1-0-0
    7 Boulder 1-1-2 51 6 1-0-1
    8 Adams City 3-1-0 32 – 1-1-0
    9 Fossil Ridge 2-1-1 29 – 1-1-0
    10 Chatfield 3-0-1 22 – 2-0-1
    Others receiving votes:
    Cherry Creek 18, Fairview 17, Legacy 9, Highlands Ranch 5, Fountain-Fort Carson 4, Regis Jesuit 4, Doherty 3, Arapahoe 2, Broomfield 2, Castle View 1, Rampart 1.
    Dropped out
    Fairview (5), Broomfield (8), Rocky Mountain (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Air Academy (11) 5-0-0 127 1 4-0-0
    2 The Classical Academy (2) 4-0-0 118 2 2-0-0
    3 Cheyenne Mountain 2-1-0 81 4 2-0-0
    4 Ponderosa 5-1-0 68 6 3-0-0
    5 Pueblo Centennial 3-0-0 60 7 0-0-0
    6 Wheat Ridge 2-0-1 45 10 0-0-1
    7 D’Evelyn 3-1-0 36 5 1-1-0
    8 Niwot 2-0-1 29 – 1-0-0
    9 Montrose 4-1-0 23 – 2-1-0
    10 Littleton 4-1-0 22 – 2-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Windsor 17, Battle Mountain 15, Denver North 13, Evergreen 13, Durango 12, Vista Ridge 7, Golden 6, Denver West 5, Standley Lake 5, Steamboat Springs 3, Summit 3, Fort Morgan 2, Greeley West 2, Skyline 2, John F. Kennedy 1, Vista PEAK 1.
    Dropped out
    Battle Mountain (3), Denver North (8), Evergreen (9).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS LW
    1 Coal Ridge (6) 3-0-0 64 3 2-0-0
    2 Colorado Academy (1) 2-1-0 63 2 1-1-0
    3 Salida 2-1-0 54 1 1-1-0
    4 Faith Christian 3-0-1 40 9 2-0-1
    5 Pagosa Springs 3-0-0 37 – 1-0-0
    6 Fountain Valley 1-1-1 27 4 1-1-1
    7 Sheridan 2-0-1 25 7 2-0-1
    8 Peak to Peak 2-2-0 23 – 1-1-0
    9 Arrupe Jesuit 4-1-0 13 – 2-0-0
    10 Crested Butte 3-1-0 10 – 1-1-0
    Others receiving votes:
    Frontier Academy 8, Kent Denver 7, Bruce Randolph 5, Manitou Springs 4, Aspen 3, DSST-Stapleton 3, Roaring Fork 2, Colorado Springs Christian 1.
    Dropped out
    Denver Christian (5), Frontier Academy (6), Kent Denver (8), Manitou Springs (10).

  • Standley Lake boys soccer concludes huge week with win over Arvada West

    Standley Lake junior Kyle Iftodi (8) closes in on Arvada West senior Dominic Drumright (4) during the first half Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex. Iftodi scored in the 24th minute to help the Gators to a 2-1 victory over the Wildcats. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Standley Lake junior Kyle Iftodi (8) closes in on Arvada West senior Dominic Drumright (4) during the first half Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex. Iftodi scored in the 24th minute to help the Gators to a 2-1 victory over the Wildcats. (Dennis Pleuss)

    ARVADA — There’s nothing like getting back-to-back victories against area rivals to inject some confidence and momentum.

    That was the case this week for Standley Lake’s boys soccer. The Gators suffered a pair of shutout losses to start the season, but got a big boost this week with victories over former Class 5A Jeffco League opponents Ralston Valley and Arvada West.

    “Since I was a freshman, we haven’t beaten these two programs,” Standley Lake senior captain Adam Williams said after a 2-1 victory Thursday against A-West. “Beating Ralston Valley and Arvada West in the same week is big time. We couldn’t have gotten it done without everyone’s help on the field. We played as a family.”

    Standley Lake senior Gavin Baker, middle, battles with Arvada West junior Kyler Fowkes, right, as Standley Lake junior Justin Keller (7) looks on Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Standley Lake senior Gavin Baker, middle, battles with Arvada West junior Kyler Fowkes, right, as Standley Lake junior Justin Keller (7) looks on Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex. (Dennis Pleuss)

    After a dramatic goal with eight seconds left in regulation time earned a 3-2 win over Ralston Valley on Tuesday at the North Area Athletic Complex, the Gators returned to the NAAC on Thursday to face the three-time defending 5A Jeffco champions in A-West.

    Williams set up the eventual game-winning goal, serving a free kick to junior Ryan Carlin four minutes into the second half. Carlin was able to head the ball into the back of the net for a 2-1 lead for the Gators.

    “It’s very big. We were banged up at the beginning of the season. We had adversity those first two games (losses),” Standley Lake coach Jeff Vigil said of the back-to-back wins this week. “The boys were resilient. We played two very good teams and came out victorious in both of them.”

    Standley Lake struck first Thursday in the 24th minute with a goal from junior Kyle Iftodi. Senior Cody Calcagno picked up the assist sending a ball into Iftodi who ended up with a one-on-one chance with A-West goalie Andy Fendel.

    “Adam and Cody are our senior leaders,” Vigil said of his senior captains that picked up assists on both goals. “They have been starting since they were freshmen. They are our backbone and doing a great job.”

    A-West had plenty of possession and scoring chances, but could only manage one goal. Sophomore Luke Drumright was able to float a high shot from a tough angle over Standley Lake goalie Kevin Griebel for the Wildcats’ lone goal in the 36th minute.

    “It just wasn’t bouncing our way and we couldn’t finish,” A-West coach Troy Gette said. “We weren’t strong enough in the box to win those balls.”

    Arvada West sophomore Luke Drumright, right, gets a huge from teammate Kyle Fowkes after Drumright's goal in the 36th minute Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Arvada West sophomore Luke Drumright, right, gets a huge from teammate Kyle Fowkes after Drumright’s goal in the 36th minute Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex. (Dennis Pleuss)

    The Wildcats had a few scoring chances in the closing minutes, but Standley Lake’s defense denied a game-tying goal.

    “We’ve lost a lot in the past couple seasons on late goals. It’s not going to happen this year,” Williams said. “We are going to defend as a team and get the win.”

    A-West (2-2) got off to a strong 2-0 start with wins over Golden and Mountain Range, but has now dropped two straight. The Wildcats take a trip to Fort Collins this weekend for a noon game Saturday against Rocky Mountain. The Lobos are ranked No. 10 in this week’s CHSAANow.com 5A boys soccer rankings.

    Because of a drop in enrollment, Standley Lake (2-2) will play in 4A Jeffco for the current two-year cycle. The Gators held their own in 5A Jeffco last season placing fourth and getting a first-round playoff victory to boot.

    “I know Evergreen, Wheat Ridge and Valor Christian are all very good,” Vigil said of playing in the new conference. “You know, 4A Jeffco is tough as well.”

    Standley Lake has one more non-league game scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at Holy Family before beginning its conference schedule.

    Standley Lake junior Kyle Iftodi (8) closes in on Arvada West senior Dominic Drumright (4) during the first half Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex. Iftodi scored in the 24th minute to help the Gators to a 2-1 victory over the Wildcats. (Dennis Pleuss)
    Standley Lake junior Kyle Iftodi (8) closes in on Arvada West senior Dominic Drumright (4) during the first half Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex. Iftodi scored in the 24th minute to help the Gators to a 2-1 victory over the Wildcats. (Dennis Pleuss)

  • Photos: Castruita’s goal lifts Boulder boys soccer over Fairview in overtime

    BOULDER — Brian Castruita scored the winning goal in overtime as No. 6 Boulder beat rival and fifth-ranked Fairview 2-1 in boys soccer on Thursday.

    Camdon Ford also scored for Boulder, while Leo Huettel made two saves in the win.

  • Photos: Fountaine scores twice as Holy Family boys soccer beats Berthoud

    BROOMFIELD — Freshman Matthew Fountaine scored two goals as Holy Family boys soccer won Wednesday’s home conference game against Berthoud by a score of 4-0.

    Fellow freshman Lorenzo Centeno also scored for Holy Family, as did junior Scott Avirett.

    Junior Robbie Wyton had six saves.

  • Air Academy takes over 4A as boys soccer rankings get new look

    Pomona Wheat Ridge boys soccer
    Wheat Ridge and senior Ryan Browne (3) joined the 4A boys soccer poll this week. (Dennis Pleuss)

    The Classical Academy picked up a huge win over preseason No. 1 Cheyenne Mountain last week. Monday, the Titans entered CHSAANow.com’s Class 4A boys soccer ranking — all the way up at No. 2.

    TCA, in its first 4A season, was runner-up in 3A last year. It beat Cheyenne Mountain, the reigning 4A champ and preseason favorite, 1-0 last Thursday.

    But they were just one of four news teams to enter the 4A poll this week. Other newcomers included No. 5 D’Evelyn, No. 7 Pueblo Centennial and No. 10 Wheat Ridge.

    The ranking also got a new No. 1 team in Air Academy.

    The 5A poll added three new teams: No. 7 Fort Collins, No. 8 Broomfield and No. 10 Rocky Mountain. Pine Creek held firm at No. 1 in that ranking.

    In 3A, Faith Christian (No. 9) and Manitou Springs (No. 10) joined the poll, which continued to be led by Salida.

    The rankings, voted upon by coaches and select media members, are the official polls of the Association. Polls are released each Monday.

    Complete rankings for are below.

    [divider]

    CHSAANow.com Boys Soccer Polls

    Voted upon by coaches and select media members around the state. New voters can sign up by emailing rcasey@chsaa.org. These rankings have no bearing on postseason seeding.

    Go to: 5A | 4A | 3A

    Class 5A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Pine Creek (7) 2-0-1 97 1
    2 Rock Canyon (2) 1-0-1 88 2
    3 Heritage 2-0-1 74 8
    4 Denver East 1-1-0 58 4
    5 Fairview (1) 0-0-0 47 7
    6 Boulder 0-1-1 35 3
    7 Fort Collins 2-0-1 27 –
    8 Broomfield 1-0-1 24 –
    9 Smoky Hill 1-1-0 23 5
    10 Rocky Mountain 0-0-0 21 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Cherry Creek 12, Fossil Ridge 12, Adams City 11, Arvada West 11, Mountain Vista 4, Loveland 3, Regis Jesuit 2, Fountain-Fort Carson 1, Grandview 1.
    Dropped out
    Grandview (6), Cherry Creek (9), Rangeview (10).

    Class 4A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Air Academy (8) 1-0-0 89 2
    2 The Classical Academy (2) 2-0-0 74 –
    3 Battle Mountain 2-0-0 72 5
    4 Cheyenne Mountain 0-1-0 49 1
    5 D’Evelyn 2-0-0 45 –
    6 Ponderosa 2-1-0 35 4
    7 Pueblo Centennial 3-0-0 30 –
    8 Denver North 2-0-0 28 7
    9 Evergreen 0-1-0 25 3
    10 Wheat Ridge 2-0-0 24 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Niwot 22, Montrose 10, Summit 9, Golden 8, Littleton 8, Windsor 6, Denver West 5, Valor Christian 4, Green Mountain 3, Greeley West 2, Pueblo South 1, Vista Ridge 1.
    Dropped out
    Niwot (6), Standley Lake (8), Centaurus (9), Pueblo West (10).

    Class 3A
    RK TEAM W-L PTS PVS
    1 Salida (5) 1-0-0 67 1
    2 Colorado Academy (2) 1-0-0 65 2
    3 Coal Ridge 1-0-0 50 3
    4 Fountain Valley 0-0-0 49 4
    5 Denver Christian 1-0-1 36 5
    6 Frontier Academy 1-0-1 31 10
    7 Sheridan 0-0-0 24 7
    8 Kent Denver 1-1-0 22 6
    9 Faith Christian 1-0-0 19 –
    10 Manitou Springs 1-1-0 10 –
    Others receiving votes:
    Bruce Randolph 7, DSST-Stapleton 3, Arrupe Jesuit 2.
    Dropped out
    Vail Mountain (8), Bruce Randolph (9).

  • Photos: Boulder and Rock Canyon draw in boys soccer

    BOULDER — Rock Canyon and Boulder battled to a 2-2 draw in boys soccer on Thursday night.

    Leroy Alphonse and Sushant Gurung scored for Boulder, while Dylan Tartz and Will Steffe had Rock Canyon’s goals.

  • Wheat Ridge hangs on to edge Pomona in boys soccer

    Pomona Wheat Ridge boys soccer
    Wheat Ridge senior Ryan Browne (3) tries to get around Pomona freshman Robert Wehner during the Farmers’ season opener Tuesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. Browne scored in the second half to help the Farmers to a 3-2 victory. (Dennis Pleuss)

    LAKEWOOD — The defending Class 4A Jeffco League boys soccer champion Wheat Ridge Farmers hung on to win its season opener Tuesday at Lakewood Memorial Field.

    The Farmers got goals from seniors Max Sweeney (11th minute), Ryan Browne (48th minute) and Mason Lane (72nd minute) to hold off 5A Jeffco’s Pomona for a 3-2 victory.

    “We came away with a win,” Wheat Ridge coach Tony Thomas said. “We let up a little bit, but a win is a win. It’s something to learn from going forward.”

    Sweeney started the scoring with a shot that rocketed under the crossbar for an early 1-0 lead. However, Pomona back-up sophomore goalie Cesar Tamariz Ovalle came in and held the Farmers’ offense in check for the remainder of the first half.

    Pomona Wheat Ridge boys soccer
    Pomona freshman Robert Wehner (19) battles with Wheat Ridge senior Dan Van Note (10) for control of the ball during Tuesday’s non-league game at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Despite dominating possession and scoring chances in the first 40 minutes Wheat Ridge found itself in a 1-1 tie going into halftime. Pomona senior Jake Semple scored with 13 seconds left in the first half on a long shot.

    “It shows you can’t let down,” Thomas said. “We were good the first 10 minutes. After we scored we kind of let up. We got content being up 1-0. That isn’t how we want to go forward.”

    The Farmers got back in gear with a goal early in the second half by Browne to regain the lead. Senior Evan Graves fired a shot that hit off a Pomona defender, but ended up right in front of Browne to set up a one-on-one against Tamariz Ovalle.

    “It was pretty lucky. I’m not going to lie,” Browne said. “Evan had a great shot and it got deflected. It just landed on my foot.”

    Wheat Ridge extended its lead to 3-1 in the 72nd minute when Lane slipped a tough angle shot into the back of the net.

    Pomona answered again when sophomore Augusto Davalos sailed a long shot over the head of Wheat Ridge junior goalie Chase Odean in the 77th minute to make it a one-goal game again.

    The Farmers (1-0) were able to keep the Panthers (0-1-1) at bay in the final three minutes to take the victory.

    “I think we just kept our cool and played the way we needed to finish it out,” said Browne, one of 10 returning seniors for the Farmers.

    Pomona Wheat Ridge boys soccer
    Pomona junior goalie Zach Ramelow makes an early diving save in front of his net during the first half Tuesday at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss)

    Wheat Ridge grabbed the 4A Jeffco conference title last season with a 6-0-1 league record, but the Farmers were bounced out of the state tournament with a first-round loss to Denver South. That loss is still fresh for Wheat Ridge.

    “It’s a reminder definitely for these guys,” Thomas said of the early postseason loss. “Every game counts and it doesn’t matter when it is during the season.”

    Wheat Ridge returns to action with another non-league match. The Farmers host Longmont at 4 p.m. Thursday at Wheat Ridge High School. League play begins Sept. 16 back at Lakewood Memorial Field against rival Evergreen.

    “We are expecting to do well,” Browne said. “Our goal is to win league, but we have a long ways to go.”

    Pomona finished in the middle of the pack in 5A Jeffco in 2013. The Panthers’ 5-10 record last season wasn’t good enough to grab a berth in the 5A state tournament.

    Pomona coach Mike Askin has only one senior this season in Semple, but could very well be in the mix for a playoff spot this season with its young core of players.

    The Panthers opened their season with a 1-1 tie against Chaparral last week. Pomona heads to Aurora to face Gateway at 4:30 p.m. Friday.

    Pomona Wheat Ridge boys soccer
    Wheat Ridge senior Dan Van Note, right, and Pomona junior Luis Aguilar race down the pitch at Lakewood Memorial Field during the first half Tuesday. Wheat Ridge took a 3-2 victory over Pomona. (Dennis Pleuss)

  • Photos: Second-half PK lifts Smoky Hill boys soccer over Boulder

    AURORA — Kevin Del Mazo converted a penalty kick late in the second half to lift No. 5 Smoky Hill boys soccer over No. 3 Boulder in Class 5A action on Tuesday.

    Sam Franceschi also scored for Smoky Hill. Quinn Liebmann had Boulder’s goal.

  • Colorado Academy boys soccer hit hard by graduation, but still aiming high

    The Classical Academy Colorado Academy 3A boys soccer state
    Ben Maffei (6) is among key returners for Colorado Academy. (Pam Wagner)

    It must be strange, coming off an undefeated season that culminated in a Class 3A state title, to be seen as an underdog.

    But that’s where Colorado Academy and coach Gabe Bernstein find themselves heading into the 2014 boys soccer season, despite being ranked No. 2 in CHSAANow.com’s preseason poll.

    Most of that attitude has to do with the fact that Colorado Academy graduated four all-state athletes from last year’s state championship squad — defender Clark Gebhart, forward J.J. Myers, midfielder Robert White and goalkeeper Jack Thomas are all gone.

    It’s a new challenge that Bernstein, in his second year as head coach, has considered.

    “My goal is to have the guys overcome some of the challenges of losing a handful of seniors this past year and see if we can surprise some people,” said Bernstein. “I wouldn’t say we’ve been written off but I think a lot of coaches and a lot of programs have maybe thought we’ve graduated some guys and maybe we won’t be a title contender this year.

    “For us, we’re looking to just continue on the course we’ve set and make progress each game to try and position ourselves for a playoff run.”

    Bernstein says that while he thinks expectations for Colorado Academy are down around the classification, his team is still committed to living up to the legacy of last season. To accomplish that, he breaks down the season into a set of smaller, more manageable goals.

    “Obviously the goal is to win a state title, but with us we set smaller targets, little more realistic goals: Try to earn a top seed in the playoffs, try to focus on what we do during the day, in practice,” Bernstein said. “We really try to break the season into smaller parts.”

    Bernstein believes he’ll have plenty of help keeping his team focused on the day-to-day grind from a new set of seniors that are ready to take on the leadership mantle.

    “Last year we we’re fortunate to have a group of about nine or ten seniors that had played together since they were young kids and the leadership we had from that group was very strong,” said Bernstein. “So I think our junior class truly got a glimpse of what that senior leadership looks like.

    The Classical Academy Colorado Academy 3A boys soccer state
    Colorado Academy celebrates winning the 2013 championship in 3A. (Pam Wagner)

    “We have a couple strong leaders in Ben Maffei and Noah Henry. We also have guys like Tyler Kelly and Alex Clinkscales, all of whom are going to be seniors. So that presents four strong seniors in itself. So I think we have the pieces in place to have strong leadership this year.”

    Every team can point to senior leaders however; it’s talent on the pitch that’s just as — if not more — important. Bernstein thinks nobody puts more pressure on themselves than his players, and he believes this group has the potential to be better than ever.

    “I really do think that the group of seniors coming up is stronger than ever in terms of their leadership ability as well as just strong soccer players,” Bernstein said. “It’s one thing to be a good leader, but to be able to be a good leader and an influential player on the field, that’s a pretty powerful thing.”

    [divider]

    Class 3A boys soccer preview

    Defending champion: Colorado Academy

    Runner-up: The Classical Academy (moved up to 4A)

    Returning All-State players:  Sawyer Lincoln, junior, Manitou Springs (1st).

    Regular season begins: Aug. 21

    Playoffs begin: Oct. 24

    Championship: Nov. 8 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (Commerce City)