Colorado Academy jumped to a two-goal lead in the first half at its home Firman Field and held off upstart Rock Canyon 2-1 on Wednesday to advance to the Class 3A girls soccer semifinals.
It was only the second loss for No. 6-seeded Rock Canyon (12-2-1), playing in its first varsity season, and both were to Metropolitan League teams.
No. 3 Colorado Academy (11-4-3) moved into Friday’s 5 p.m. semifinal against No. 2 Faith Christian, which beat Manitou Springs 2-1.
No. 1 Kent Denver and No. 12 Denver Christian, both Metro League teams, meet Friday at 7 p.m. in the other semifinal.
In the 22nd minute, Colorado Academy’s Lee Burkett took a Sarah Feldmann pass near the top of the penalty box, turned, pushed the ball between a defender’s legs and slotted a shot past Rock Canyon goalkeeper Lauren Schaedig for the game’s first goal.
It was the first goal Rock Canyon allowed in 11 games.
“We’re developing every game,” said Burkett, a sophomore. “Our passes get better every time; we’re just really positive.”
Four minutes later, the Mustangs’ Meagan Slater spun an arching corner kick toward the middle of the box. It skipped off the head of a Rock Canyon defender and into the goal for the game-winner.
“If you survive the Metro League,” Colorado Academy coach Owen Schreffler said, “anything can happen.
“On a warm day, with just four subs, I thought we responded real well.”
Rock Canyon responded early in the second half and kept pressure on Colorado Academy goalkeeper Jessica Thalman. In the 47th minute, Thalman came 12 yards out of goal to cut off a Taylor Pianko shot. Thalman dived to her right for the save, but Rock Canyon’s Colleen Schneider one-timed the rebound into an empty net to bring the Jaguars to within 2-1.
“This is the first playoff situation they’ve been in against teams that have been in this situation year after year,” Rock Canyon coach Jake Prendergast said of his young team. “We’ve scored a lot of goals this season, so 2-0 is something we can come back from. They responded well.”
In the 65th minute, Pianko got past Thalman and put a shot toward goal, but Darcy White cleared the ball from in front of the empty net to preserve Colorado Academy’s lead.
Rock Canyon 0 1 – 1
Colorado Academy 2 0 – 2
Goals (assists) – CA: Burkett (Feldman), 22nd minute; M. Slater (unassisted), 26th; RC: Schneider (unassisted), 47th.
Shots on goal – Rock Canyon 4-7-11; Colorado Academy 9-4-13. Saves – Rock Canyon (Schaedig) 7-4-11; Colorado Academy (Thalman) 4-5-9. Corner kicks – Rock Canyon 1-5-6; Colorado Academy 2-2-4.
