Castle Rock – Words of warning to all of those Class 3A girls soccer contenders that might overlook first-year Rock Canyon: These Jaguars can bite.
Rock Canyon (12-1-1), seeded No. 6 in the 3A tournament, won its first playoff game in any sport Wednesday, trouncing Salida 4-0 at Douglas County Stadium and advancing to the state quarterfinals.
“I’m not really concerned what other teams really think of us. I just want them to think of us as a good team,” said Jaguars coach Jake Prendergast, whose team has a feel similar to that of first-year ThunderRidge, which won a 1999 title with freshmen and sophomores.
Rock Canyon, which has not allowed a goal in 11 consecutive matches, plays the winner of today’s Colorado Springs Christian and Colorado Academy match.
Salida (11-4-2) had staved off early Rock Canyon runs and was inside the penalty area. Jillian Jones was right on the doorstep, but her attempt to go back to the far post was thwarted by freshman goalkeeper Lauren Schaedig’s sprawled-out right foot.
“People will say that Lauren is just an average keeper, because she hasn’t been tested,” Prendergast said. “It proves what kind of keeper she is, that she doesn’t see a ball in nearly seven games, and makes that kind of save in this situation.”
Said Salida coach Todd Bright: “We get that goal and it’s a whole different game. She’s a good keeper and just always seems to be in the right position.”
Rock Canyon got on the scoreboard just before halftime on Aimee O’Connor’s shot from the top of the box. After being knocked down by a Salida defender, O’Connor got up and rifled a shot that Spartans goal keeper Serena Rocksund got a hand on but was unable to deflect over the bar.
“I got pushed down and got right back up and was pretty mad,” O’Connor said.
An early second-half goal by Colleen Schneider that slid through the hands of Rocksund as rain began to fall gave the Jaguars a 2-0 cushion. O’Connor headed home her second goal on a pass from Kyndal Corolus with 10 minutes to play for a 3-0 lead.
Salida 0 0 – 0
Rock Canyon 1 3 – 4
Goals – O’Connor (Pianko), 40th minute; Schneider (unassisted), 44th; O’Connor (Corolus), 70th; Thompson (free kick), 76th.
Shots on goal – Salida 3-2 – 5; Rock Canyon 7-5 – 12. Saves – Salida (Rocksund) 6-2 – 8; Rock Canyon (Schaedig) 3-2 – 5. Corner kicks – Salida 0-0 – 0; Rock Canyon 6-1 – 7. Offsides – Salida 1-0 – 1; Rock Canyon 0-0 – 0. Fouls – Salida 4-2 – 6; Rock Canyon 6-2 – 8. Yellow cards – Gross, Salida, 80th minute.
Jon E. Yunt can be reached at 303-820-5446 or jyunt@denverpost.com.
