Arvada – The Faith Christian Eagles did Saturday what they always seem to do around this time each year – advance to the Class 3A state championship.
The second-seeded Eagles were all business at the North Area Athletic Complex, dismantling third-seeded Basalt 4-0 behind a hat trick from junior forward Grant Cowles.
The Eagles (16-2), winners of six straight, advanced to their fourth consecutive state final and will face Metropolitan League rival Peak to Peak here Tuesday at 5 p.m.
The Eagles won state titles in 2003 and 2002 and were heavy favorites last year, only to be upset by Salida in the final.
“Really, now, this is what we’ve all been working for – our next game Tuesday,” said Cowles, who scored two goals in Faith Christian’s quarterfinal victory Tuesday over Colorado Springs Christian.
Faith Christian, which outshot Basalt 12-2, grabbed control of the game when Cowles beat two defenders to score the opening goal just 63 seconds in.
Striker Michael Lind scored his fourth goal in two games when he beat goalkeeper Jamie Wirkler in the 36th minute to give the Eagles a 2-0 lead at halftime.
“We knew that if we could score early, that was our main goal, that psychologically we had the advantage,” Faith Christian coach Will Lind said.
Basalt (15-3) opened its season with a loss to Faith Christian by the same score. Longhorns coach Erik Streff said he tried to employ a more defensive gameplan to neutralize the Eagles. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t much help.
“It’s not our style,” Streff said. “We kind of got away from what we’re used to.”
Faith Christian recorded its 13th shutout of the season behind backup goalkeeper Graham Yantis, who was picked over senior goalie Julio Hornedo.
Cowles’ first goal came off a long pass from Noah Drake that found the striker just inside the penalty area. Surrounded by defenders, Cowles fired off a quick shot that beat Wirkler to his left post.
Cowles made it 3-0 in the 57th minute when midfielder Luke McCaslin fired a header into the 6-yard box. Cowles grabbed the ball and dribbled to the far post for an easy finish.
Cowles got his hat trick in the 68th minute when he headed home Tyler Hambrick’s free kick.
“We just wanted to come in with intensity,” McCaslin said. “We didn’t want to overlook them.”
Basalt 0 0 – 0
Faith Christian 2 2 – 4
Goals – Cowles (Drake), 2nd minute; Lind (unassisted), 36th; Cowles (McCaslin), 57th; Cowles (Hambrick), 68th.
Shots on goal – Basalt 2-0 – 2; Faith Christian 6-6 – 12. Saves – Basalt (Wirkler) 4-4 – 8; Faith Christian (Yantis) 2-0 – 2. Offsides – Basalt 0-0 – 0; Faith Christian 1-3 – 4. Corner kicks – Basalt 2-1 – 3; Faith Christian 3-0 – 3. Fouls – Basalt 2-6 – 8; Faith Christian 5-5 – 10. Yellow cards – None.
