Creek downs Valor in top-teams tussle

Bruins take 9-7 win in lacrosse showdown

BY JIM BENTON SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA

Cherry Creek’s boys lacrosse team found itself in a di erent position in its March 29 game against Valor Christian.

Creek’s Bruins showed they could play from behind and defeated the Eagles 9-7 in an early season showdown between Colorado’s top two teams, at least according to the March 27 CHSAANow. com state rankings

Top-ranked Creek outscored No. 2 Valor 5-2 in the second half to improve to 5-0 this season. Valor lost for the rst time in six games.

“Coming back was a key,” said Creek coach Matthew Bocklet. “We haven’t had to play from behind this year. So for our guys to show the ability to come back was great. I’m proud of that.”

Creek and Valor are two of the state’s perennially tough boys lacrosse teams. Both were in the quarter nals last season. e Bruins have won seven state championships and Valor two in Class 4A.

Creek took a quick 1-0 lead but Valor goalie Buck Cunningham scored on a long throw from the opposite goal area, which seemed to spark the Eagles.

Valor grabbed an early 5-2 at lead and was on top 5-4 at halftime.

Cherry Creek nally went ahead 7-6 on a third-period goal by Ollie Nolting but the game was tied at 7-all in the fourth period.

Goals by junior Owen Burke and senior Brody Fisher in the nal seven minutes provided the winning margin.

Fisher had three goals in the game and two came in the fourth quarter. Nolting had two goals and one assist for the Bruins. Gus Bell nished with three assists.

Sophomore Rush LaSelle had three goals and an assist for Valor. Valor’s Baden Brown and Liam Goodwin each had a goal and assist.

“We made a lot of mistakes and they are a great team,” said Bocklet. “Great teams capitalize on your mistakes, and every time we threw the ball away in the clearing game, they got the ball and came down and scored.

“ e guys are feeling good but we’ve got to learn from our mistakes and hopefully improve upon them. We’re always going to be happy about a win. I’m always going to be critical of how we played but as long as we learn from our mistakes, we’ll be in a good spot. It would be a surprise if we don’t play Valor again this season.”

Valor coach Jeremy Noble hopes his team can use the loss to learn and move on.

“It was a big game and we used it as a measuring stick to see where we are at, as a program,” said Noble. “All the credit goes to Cherry Creek. ey had a good game plan on defense and were the better team. We will learn from this as a group and move forward.”