The upstarts face the stalwarts in tonight’s Class 3A boys state soccer final.
Peak to Peak is playing for its first state championship in any sport, while Faith Christian is in its fourth consecutive final and is looking for its fourth state championship since 2000.
The Pumas, from Lafayette, were the dark horses in the soccer-rich Metropolitan League, while the Eagles (Arvada) were expected to be here with most of the same players who lost 1-0 to Salida in the 2004 final.
One thing the teams share is hunger.
The Pumas (16-3) have been riding a strong core of seniors who have made up for a lack of size with speed and relentless pursuit.
Said Faith Christian coach Will Lind of the Pumas: “They’re like flies all over you. You swat them and four more come after you.”
Peak to Peak lost 3-0 to Faith on Sept. 23 in the teams’ only meeting this season. Since then, the Pumas have rattled off 10 straight victories, outscoring the opposition 49-2, and enter tonight’s game riding four consecutive shutouts.
Forward Chris Beach said the Pumas’ hunger drove them to victory over Kent Denver in Saturday’s semifinal. Goalie Tyler Weber said the makeup of the roster makes this a special time for the fifth-year program.
“I think this will really set an example for future soccer teams that come to this school, and even other athletic programs,” Weber said.
The only 3A team to beat the Eagles (16-2) this season is Kent Denver, which packed it in defensively, frustrated the Eagles and hit them on the counterattack. Basalt employed a similar tactic Saturday and was beaten 4-0.
Class 4A
Liberty and Broomfield have lived up to the hype.
The defending champion Lancers (18-1) and the Eagles (18-1) began the season ranked No. 1 and 2, respectively, and will answer the only remaining question tonight in the Class 4A state championship.
Both teams are packed with skilled players and should go at each other straight up.
“Both teams are going to do what they do well,” Broomfield coach Jim Davidson said. “We both have to trust our game at this point of the season. We both like to attack.”
Liberty is 4-2 against Broomfield in the playoffs. Their last meeting came in the 2004 quarterfinals with the Lancers rallying for a 5-3 victory.
The Lancers have won three 4A state titles since 1996, and the Eagles have two since 1999. Since 1999, the Eagles are 110-11-7, while the Lancers have posted a 120-10-5 mark.
State championships
Today
At North Area Athletic Complex (Arvada)
CLASS 3A: (4) Peak to Peak (16-3) vs. (2) Faith Christian (16-2), 5 p.m.
CLASS 4A: (2) Broomfield (18-1) vs. (1) Liberty (18-1), 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday
At Five Star Stadium (Thornton)
CLASS 5A: (9) Fort Collins (13-3-3) vs. (7) Smoky Hill (14-3-2), 7 p.m.
