Arvada West boys lacrosse makes history at NAAC

BY DENNIS PLEUSS JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ARVADA — Arvada West sophomore Creighton Major played keep away to run out the final seconds to give the Wildcats a historic victory April 7 at the North Area Athletic Complex.

A-West hung on for a 7-6 win over Heritage in boys lacrosse action. It was the Wildcats’ first conference win for the program that is in its first season of varsity play.

“That was awesome,” A-West coach Derek Snyder said. “Our boys stepped up and played with a lot of heart. They kept their heads. It was a great game all around.”

A-West junior Cooper Greason put the Wildcats up 7-6 with 7 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The final 12 minutes was all about defense with both A-West (4-2 record, 1-1 in Class 5A League #1) and Heritage (2-5, 0-2) unable to find the back of the net.

Heritage did have a huge opportunity in the final 44 seconds. A-West was tagged with a pair of fouls that gave the Eagles a 2-minute advantage. However, the Eagles couldn’t get a shot past A-West junior goalie Jayden Bergstrom to send the game into overtime.

“He (Bergstrom) really stood on his head today,” Snyder said. “All the defense played great. We dominated on defense that second half.”

Heritage’s final scoring chance ended up with a turnover where Major was able to pick up the loose ball and run from midfield and behind Heritage’s goal to run out the clock.

“That last ten second,’ Major said of his most memorable moment during his 3-goal night.

Major led all scorers with a pair of goals in the first quarter that helped A-West to a 3-2 lead. Heritage actually took a 6-5 lead with three straight goals, but Major scored his hat-trick with 8:50 left in the third quarter to tie things up 6-6.

“He (Major) got himself a game ball,” Snyder said. “That was probably the best lacrosse that young man has played in a while. I’m very proud of him.’

Seniors Jaden Lawson, Mitchell See and Sterling Haid all had a goal each, along with the eventual game-winning goal by Greason helped A-West to the history making night.

“It means a lot to me especially being the only sophomore on the (varsity) team,” Major said of the league win. “I wanted to help my team get this win. Overall I think

Arvada West senior Caleb Luyk, left, tries to cut o Heritage senior Dominic Ranallo’s path to the goal during the first quarter April 7 at the North Area Athletic Complex. The Wildcats hung on for a 7-6 victory that featured a scoreless fourth quarter.