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28 Highlands Ranch Herald November 14, 2013
Jaguars soccer team takes runner-up spot Rock Canyon loses 1-0 in 5A finals to Pine Creek By Tom Munds
tmunds@ourcoloradonews.com The decision in a tough battle for the Nov. 9 Class 5A state soccer championship game came with 3:22 left in the second overtime period, when a quirky goal by Jay Morales gave Pine Creek a 1-0 win over Rock Canyon. “It was a great game all around but, of course, the ending wasn’t what we wanted to see,” Jaguars coach Sean Henning said after the Nov. 9 finals. “We played our game like we have done all year and we played them even until they scored that quirky goal. Our defense was outstanding as it has been all year. Offensively, we had some chances but we didn’t get the ball in the net. I am proud of our kids. They gave it everything they had. I wish it would have come out differently for them.” Rock Canyon had bested Arapahoe, Heritage and Denver East to get into the finals at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park. Pine Creek bested Chatfield, Grandview and Boulder to make up the other half of the state championship game. The stadium was rocking as the teams took the field. The Eagles fans were wearing back and waving scarves announcing they supported Pine Creek. Not far away the white-clad Rock Canyon fans also waved hand-made signs and school-name scarves as they cheered for the Jaguars. The game was a battle from the opening whistle. Officials called few fouls despite the fact there were frequent collisions and often one or more players from each team was on the ground. But in almost every case, the players got up and rejoined the action.
Rock Canyon’s Jack Galyon battled for the ball with a Pine Creek defender during the Nov. 9 Class 5A state soccer championship game. The Jaguar attack put a shot on goal but didn’t score. The scoreless game ended with a Pine Creek goal with 3:22 left in the second overtime. Photo by Tom Munds Each team battled for every loose ball. The team that took possession of the ball then pressed the attack so the fast-paced action moved up and down the field. Attacks varied from passes from teammate to teammate to move in close to the goal to long passes to try to find a teammate near the end line who could get off a shot. However, at each end of the field, the goalkeepers and the defenders repeatedly turned aside the attacks, limiting the opportunities to get a possible scoring shot at the net. The final statistics showed Rock Canyon had 10 shots on goal while Pine
Creek had nine. The defensive battle kept the game scoreless through 80 minutes of regulation play. But rules say the game can’t end in a tie so, after a five-minute break, the game went into overtime in a golden-goal format which means the first overtime goal wins. The fast-paced battle resumed but the scoreless tie remained after the first 15-minute overtime period. There was another brief break before the second 15-minute overtime period began and the game ended with 3:22 when Morales kicked the ball and it went into the
net for the golden goal. Rock Canyon’s emotion was evident as players dropped in pace and there were some tears as the game marked the end of the prep soccer career for 17 seniors. However, they regained their composure, shook hands with the Pine Creek players and senior Ben Bartlett accepted the state second-place trophy. In keeping with their tradition, the players took the trophy to where their fans were seated. The fans applauded and many reached over the wall to shake hands and even give a hug to players.
Grandview takes state 5A volleyball championship Arapahoe falls one win shy of top trophy By Jim Benton
jbenton@ourcoloradonews.com Arapahoe concluded its best girls volleyball season in school history but came up a win shy of winning the state championship. Grandview swept the Warriors 25-22, 25-12, 25-17 to win the Class 5A championship Nov. 9 in the finale at the Denver Coliseum. It was the ninth appearance in a state championship match in the past 11 seasons for Grandview and the Wolves’ fourth state title. It was only the Warriors’ second trip ever to the state tournament. “This was the best season we’ve ever had in Arapahoe history,” said Warriors coach Cara Syers. “We had one state berth prior to this and we lost in pool play. So this is our first year ever of getting to the state championship. Our three losses this season were to Grandview. They were a clear No. 1 it’s clear to say.” All four semifinal teams were from the Centennial League as Arapahoe defeated Eaglecrest 25-10, 25-21, 23-25, 25-20 to advance into the finals. Grandview downed Cherry Creek 11-25, 29-27, 25-23, 25-18. “We knew our schedule prepared us well,” added Syers. “We knew what we had to face against Grandview and we did for the most part. It was like the perfect storm. Everything went their way, every net serve and every free ball. It went their way for sure.” Arapahoe, coming off a short rest after its semifinal match, jumped ahead 8-4 in the first set but failed to come up with the key points after the Wolves tied the set at 20-all. “We didn’t get it (first set) and they just
Castle View’s Michaela Putnicki (10) drives a ball up and over the Grandview blockers in the Nov. 8 Class 5A state volleyball tournament. Putnicki’s spike scored a point for the Sabercats but they lost the match to Grandview. Photo by Tom Munds rolled,” admitted Syers. The second and third sets were not close as the top-seeded Wolves (27-2) took charge. “I couldn’t be more proud of our girls for their heart and determination they showed all season,” said Syers. “It was a wonderful season just a little short of where we want-
ed but really you don’t focus on that. You focus on this season as a journey. Second-seeded Arapahoe ended the season with a 25-3 record. Cherry Creek (22-6) appeared to have Grandview on the ropes in the semifinal, winning the first set 25-11 and having a chance to capture the second before but
lost 29-27. The Wolves prevailed in the final two sets, 25-23 and 25-18. “There was a call at the end (of the second set) whether we hit the ball or not,” recalled Bruins coach Sally Moos. “They gave them the point and kind of gave them the momentum. We didn’t put enough balls away. They have two big outside hitters and they put a few more balls away. “But I’m really proud of our kids. That was the third time we played them. We knew each other. We did some good things, we just didn’t have enough to win the match.” Ponderosa (16-11), which finished second in the Class 5A Continental League, lost in the Class 4A semifinals to Air Academy. The Kadets won 26-24, 25-20 and 2515. “It was tremendous to be here and we were more that excited,” said Ponderosa senior Merry Hammack. “We overcame so many obstacles but we just got better. I feel bad for the loss and the end of our season but this has been a family and we are so grateful for all that supported us.” Ponderosa wound up with a 16-11 record. Two-time defending Class 2A state champions Lutheran made it to the state championship match but the Lions were swept by undefeated and top-seeded Resurrection Christian 25-18, 25-19 and 25-13. “We were very pleased,” said coach Alicia Oates whose second-seeded Lions finished 25-3. “Resurrection was a very solid team. They have a lot of offensive power so it was hard to slow any one of them down because they would come back with something else. They were really good. But even getting into that game was a huge accomplished for these girls. “A lot of people, even ourselves at times, underestimated what we were capable of State continues on Page 29