Thursday, October 27 marked the first round of playoffs for the 5A Boys Soccer State Tournament. Going into playoffs, Fossil Ridge High School (6-9) was ranked No. 30 meaning they would play the No. 3 team which was Cherry Creek High School (11-5).
Stutler Bowl Stadium had a intense competitive atmosphere because the stakes were high. Both teams showed up to play going into what could be the last game of the season if they were to lose. Grant Martinez makes the statement before the game, “Every game at this time of year will be a tough game and I just hope that we play with as much intensity as we ever have and leave no regrets and just let the result take care of itself.”
The Sabercats were trailing the Bruins 0-1 at the end of the first half. The goal was scored off of a miscommunication between Fossil’s keeper, Logan Wette and center defender, Sam Goulding.
Going into the second half, the Sabercats were determined to make a statement. A foul was called at the 40 yard line against the Bruins, resulting in a free kick for Fossil. Matthew Wilhelm stepped up to take the kick, he struck the ball with enough power to get it to the goal. The keeper for Cherry Creek jumped up to make a save but ended up punching it into the crossbar. The ball was deflected into the keeper’s back and into the goal, tying the game 1-1. “Scoring the goal to tie the game was huge, it felt amazing and was excited for my team. I was hoping for us to get another and move on to the next round,” states Wilhelm.
The second half ended in a 1-1 tie, forcing the game into a 10 minute overtime. Within the last 5 minutes of the first overtime, Tyler Hause scores a goal. The ball went out for a throw-in and Blair Durand threw it down the sideline to Martinez. Martinez crossed it to Hause who one-timed it passed the Cherry Creek keeper.
The game concluded with the Sabercats coming out on top 2-1 and advancing them to the sweet 16 of the state tournament. Whilhelm comments, “Our playoff game last year was a tough loss so having it be my senior year and coming out strong to beat the No. 3 seed, who was undefeated against in-state opponents, was awesome. My team is pumped up and we plan to train hard to come out strong and put away the next team.”
The next round of playoffs is set for Wednesday, November 2 and Fossil Ridge is scheduled to play No. 14 Lincoln High School.
