Greenwood Village – Koji Goldman knew what he had to do.
With darkness, ominous clouds, rain, wind and lightning too close for comfort looming, and the chance to knock off the No. 1 team in Colorado at one of his feet, the senior delivered.
Flying down the right side, Goldman beat Grandview keeper Sean Molony two minutes into overtime as Cherry Creek earned a 4-3 victory in a Centennial League opener over the visiting Wolves.
Cherry Creek, ranked No. 4 in The Denver Post/9News Class 5A poll, improved to 8-1 overall. Top-tanked Grandview slipped to 7-1.
While players, coaches and fans scattered upon the game’s completion as the storm hit, Goldman happily reflected on his game-winner on the way to cover.
“It was definitely sweet, especially in overtime,” Goldman said. “I knew once I had the pass that I had to do it.”
Goldman was sent away by George Carmichael, who also scored two goals, including one that had given the Bruins a 3-2 edge midway through the second half. With Grandview a man down because of a red card six minutes into the second half, Carmichael caught Molony out deep from the goal and deposited it into the net.
Grandview had scored the equalizer in the 74th minute when Wynne Mason finished from Jeff Jennings.
While the Wolves controlled the ball early in the extra succession, the Bruins’ transition finally clicked.
“I saw George turn and I just went,” Goldman said.
It was all Grandview early. Lance Patterson scored on a setup by Evan Toft, then Toft made it 2-0 on a penalty kick.
Cherry Creek got one back as Carmichael finished the rebound on his penalty kick in the 19th minute, then tied it early in the second half on a rocket penalty kick by Aric Goodman, a play that resulted in a red card for the Wolves’ Kyle Borkow- ski.
Despite being a man down after the break, the Wolves had multiple opportunities in the air and on the ground, including down the stretch. Even when pinching in late, they withstood most of Cherry Creek’s breaks in transition, but the Bruins protected when necessary.
Grandview 2 1 0 – 3
Cherry Creek 1 2 1 – 4
Goals – G: Patterson, Toft, Mason; CC: Carmichael 2, Goodman, Goldman. Assists – G: Toft, Jennings; CC: Carmichael, Ferguson. Shots – G: 15; CC: 18. Corner kicks – G: 15; CC: 4. Fouls – G: 10; CC: 5. Yellow card – Lengerich, CC. Red card – Borkowski, G.
Neil H. Devlin can be reached at 303-820-1714 or ndevlin@denverpost.com.
