Thornton – As defending champions, the Liberty Lancers fancy themselves the best squad in Class 4A.
After Tuesday’s 4-0 dismantling of 5A power Horizon, the Lancers might get a few votes for best team in the state – regardless of classification.
Liberty (5-0) outran and outplayed the Hawks at Five Star Stadium behind two first-half goals from Kyle Joern to fuel the nonleague victory.
“I think every guy came out to play their best game today,” Joern said. “Every guy on this team is speed, I guess you could say. We were just ready.”
The Lancers outshot the Hawks 12-0 and registered their second shutout of the season.
“We just came to make a statement today,” Liberty senior defender Sean Reed said.
Horizon made two changes to its starting lineup that lost 3-2 on Saturday to 5A No. 1 Grandview, according to Hawks coach Art Drotar, who had to watch Tuesday’s game from the press box after getting a red card against Grandview.
The Hawks (3-2) slowly pulled their starters as the Lancers pulled away.
Liberty slammed the door in the 67th minute when David Trainer knocked home a centering pass from Brian Bjork. The Lancers made it 4-0 six minutes later on a header by Brett Brady off Aaron Mazzetti’s corner kick.
Liberty asserted control early with sharp passing in the middle of the pitch by Mitch Lobdell and overwhelmed the Hawks with overlapping runs down the flanks. The Lancers were close three times in the opening 10 minutes before Joern broke through in the 13th.
Joern raced down the left sideline, cut inside along the top of the penalty area and rifled a low shot that was too quick for a diving Justin Frayser.
The Hawks did push the ball into the Lancers’ end, but lack of possession and an organized Liberty defense kept scoring chances to a minimum.
The Lancers doubled their lead nine minutes before halftime when Joern outran Bryan Wingen and had his initial shot blocked by Frayser at his right post. Standing parallel to the goal mouth, Joern flicked the rebound to the far post, where it deflected off the post and in.
Horizon striker Nicholas Cardenas just missed with two second-half shots. He was shown a yellow card in the 58th minute for dissent and did not return.
Liberty 2 2 – 4
Horizon 0 0 – 0
Goals – Joern (unassisted), 13th minute; Joern (unassisted), 31st; Trainer (Bjork), 67th; Brady (Mazzetti), 73rd. Shots on goal – Liberty 7-5 – 12; Horizon 0-0 – 0. Saves – Liberty (Lang) 0-0 – 0; Horizon (Frayser 40 minutes, Gilliard 40) 5-3 – 8. Offsides – Liberty 0-0 – 0; Horizon 0-1 – 1. Corner kicks – Liberty 2-2 – 4; Horizon 1-0 – 1.
Fouls – Liberty 5-2 – 7; Horizon 4-7 – 11. Yellow card – Cardenas, H, 58th minute.
