(Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LAKEWOOD — Alameda International’s quest for back-to-back Class 4A/3A Colorado 7 League boys soccer titles began Monday at Lakewood Memorial Field.
The Pirates (4-3-2 overall, 1-0-0 in league) started its conference schedule with an impressive 9-2 victory over Weld Central (1-8, 0-1). Alameda’s had a three-headed scoring monster with senior Brian Varela, junior Lodrigue Byamungo and sophomore Derik Gutierrez. The trio combined for eight goals and four assists against the Rebels from Keenesburg.
“We’ve got some guys who can put it in the back of the net,” Alameda coach Steve Houwen said. “That is something we’ve been working on because when we started the season it was hard to come by goals.”
The Pirates graduated six seniors from last year’s team. Houwen said all six were on the offensive side of the ball. Alameda had to find new personal to give the Pirates a scoring punch.
Gutierrez got Alameda off to a quick start Monday with a pair of goals in the first four minutes. Both were assisted by Byamungo. Varela put in the Pirates’ third goal in the 23rd minute on an assist by Byamungo. Varela returned the favor a minute later assisting on Byamungo’s first goal.
“We have to play strong and not let anything through,” Varela said of the desired style of play this season. “We need to keep shooting and making goals.”
After taking a 4-0 halftime lead, the Pirates keeps things going with Gutierrez picking up his third and fourth goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half before taking a seat on the bench. Byamungo put in his second goal and Varela scored on a penalty kick to make it an 8-0 lead in the 63rd minute.
Alameda starting goalie Casey Pruitt got into the scoring mix with the Pirates’ final goal in the 73rd minute. Weld Central did prevent the shutout with goals from senior Sergio Gonzales and sophomore David Melendez late in the second half.
“It’s nice to get into league and it’s nice to get healthy again,” said Houwen, who didn’t have the services of Byamungo for a few of games due to injury. “We played some quality opponents and that is what we need to do to get better for league.”
This is Alameda’s third year playing in the Colorado 7. Houwen has made it a point to schedule some non-league games against former 4A Jeffco foes. Alameda suffered a 2-0 loss to D’Evelyn and 1-0 defeat to Golden during a three-game losing streak the Pirates were able to snap Monday night.
“Our goal is to go back-to-back,” Houwen said about the Pirates going 6-1 in the Colorado 7 League last year in winning the conference champions. “It’s not going to be easy. It’s a good league.”
Fort Morgan and Skyview should be in the league mix. There are also some old 4A Jeffco foes who will challenge Alameda. Arvada and Conifer both moved out of the 4A Jeffco League for the next two-year cycle to play in the Colorado 7.
“This is a league we can compete in,” Houwen said of the Colorado 7. “None of our kids play club soccer. That is a real determinate when you have other schools who have club players who have been playing for a real long time.”
Alameda was the No. 18 seed for the 4A state tournament last year after winning league. The Pirates suffered a 2-0 loss to Denver North in the opening round.
“Last year was heartbreaking,” Varela said of Alameda’s state tournament loss.
The Pirates continue their journey to a conference repeat when they face Fort Lupton at 7 p.m. Thursday at the North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada. Alameda then goes on a three-game string of road games at Englewood, Conifer and Fort Morgan.
