No. 16 Fossil advances to second round of the state playoffs

James Folkestad puts a head on the ball to prevent Legend forward from going to goal. Photo Credit: Haley Rockwell

Haley Rockwell
October 27, 2017

The cold, snowy weather did not reflect the pace and atmosphere of the first round of the boys soccer state playoffs on Thursday, October 26. No. 16 Fossil Ridge High School defeated No. 17 Legend High School 2-1 in the opening round of the 5A Boys Soccer State Tournament.

Quincy Carlton directs the ball on frame off of a cross from Blair Durand. Photo Credit: Haley Rockwell

In the opening minutes of the game, the Sabercats set the tone by putting the ball in the back of the net. Quincy Carlton scored the tiebreaker from an assist by Blair Durand. The two seniors work interactively together, building off each other and creating multiple scoring opportunities.

Tyler Hause looks to play a diagonal ball to Quincy Carlton on the outside. Photo Credit: Haley Rockwell

With an early lead on the Titans, the Sabercats continued to push on for the remaining of the first half. With five minutes to go, Hause created a breakaway opportunity but shot just wide of the goal. Following this scoring chance for Fossil, Legend answered back with close goal. The Sabercats got lucky because a Titan forward skied the ball over the goal when he was inside the 6-yard box.

James Folkestad puts a head on the ball to prevent Legend forward from going to goal. Photo Credit: Haley Rockwell

The first half ended with Fossil leading Legend 1-0.

The second half began the same way as the first half, the Sabercats came out of the gates strong. Durand put away the second goal for Fossil in the first 20 minutes of the half. Determination and composure is what ultimately lead him to his twelfth goal of the season. He took the ball and beat the two center defenders for Legend and executed his shot past the keeper in a 1v1. Durand furthered Fossil’s lead to 2-0.

Logan Wette punts the ball after making a unbelievable save to keep the game 1-0. Photo Credit: Haley Rockwell

7 minutes later, the Titans answered back and capitalized on a mistake made by the Sabercats’ defensive line. A poor clearance out of the back gave a Legend midfielder the ball at the top of the 18-yard box and he shot it past keeper, Logan Wette. The game was then within one goal but Fossil was still in the lead 2-1.

Legend pushed on aggressively but the strong defensive line for Fossil held firm and didn’t allow them to get a late goal. The game ended with No.16 Fossil defeating No.17 Legend 2-1.

David Wilhelm sets up free kick at the 40 yard line and puts the ball into the box. Photo Credit: Haley Rockwell

The second round of the state tournament is on Wednesday, November 1. No. 1 Denver East High School will host the Sabercats at 6:30 PM. Finish a fellow Fossil soccer player luck as they approach the Sweet 16.