ARVADA — It’s not a matter of when, but maybe if, when it comes to Ralston Valley’s girls soccer team giving up a goal this season.
The Mustangs managed their fourth shutout of the season Monday night at the North Area Athletic Complex. Ralston Valley defeated Denver East 4-0 in the Class 5A non-league game.
“It hasn’t been a priority,” Ralston Valley coach Kamee Morwood said of the shutout streak for the Mustangs. “It’s really amazing. Our defense is pretty strong and we have a strong group of seniors leading this team.”
Sophomore goalie Margot Mulhern played the first 60 minutes in net for Ralston Valley. Junior Sophia Gomez finished off the final 20 minutes in goal for the Mustangs.
“I hope not,” Ralston Valley senior Saya Sabus said after being asked if the Mustangs would give up a goal this season.
Ralston Valley (4-0 record) dominated possession and scoring changes for most of the game. Angels starting goal Abigail Niebauer was peppered by the Mustangs’ offensive attack. The Sabus sisters — Saya and Sophia — did the offensive damage.
Saya put Ralston Valley up 2-0 with goals in the 3rd and 20th minute. The first goal was off a nice assist from senior Reece Mercer. Saya rocketed in a shot from a tough angle that ripped through the hands of Niebauer.
“It feels amazing,” Saya said of the offensive output so far this season. “I think last year we struggled a little bit finding the back of the net. This year we are off to a pretty good start. The sky is the limit.”
Sophia, a sophomore, got into the scoring act with tallies in the 31st and 59th to give Ralston Valley a 4-0 lead over Denver East (2-2).
The Mustangs came into Monday’s game having outscored their first three opponents 14-0. That margin increased to 18-0 after yet another shutout victory.
“All of our forwards are back from that COVID break and have found their niche again,” Morwood said. “They are hitting the back of the net. I’m pretty happy.”
Ralston Valley was just outside the top-10 of the Class 5A CHSAANow.com‘s girls soccer rankings that were released earlier today. The Mustangs will have a good argument to break into the top-10 if their winning streak continues.
Ralston Valley has one more non-league game scheduled against No. 6 Mountain Vista (3-1) at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at Ralston Valley High School before beginning 5A Jeffco League play next week.
“It will be a good test to see exactly where we are at,” Morwood said of the match-up against Mountain Vista on Saturday on the turf field at Ralston Valley High School. “It’s a really big game.”