Greenwood Village – The 11 seniors on the Cherry Creek boys lacrosse team made the most of their final appearance on the home turf.
They were recognized along with their parents before the game, huddled together with coach Bryan Perry on the field afterward, and they even allowed the underclassmen to get some playing time after taking control of the Bruins’ second-round playoff game against Air Academy.
Cherry Creek and its seniors, all of whom will play some level of college lacrosse next season, scored five goals in the first four minutes of action Tuesday night on the way to a 16-1 victory over the Kadets at the Stutler Bowl.
“Most of us have been playing together since middle school, and we have helped each other out along the way,” said Cameron Kerr, who will play Division I lacrosse for the University of Denver. “Lacrosse has been so much fun for all of us and we don’t want to give it up.”
Cherry Creek, 14-4 and the defending state champion, will play Golden, a 10-9 winner over Heritage on Tuesday, in the state quarterfinals.
Kerr and Peter Hoselton scored three goals apiece for the Bruins, and teammates Colin Bolling, Ryan Driver, Ricky Giancola and Mike Biemford added two goals each.
Air Academy (12-5), which had won seven of its past eight games, went into the game against the powerhouse Bruins with wide eyes, coach Mark Shriver said.
The Kadets did not come within 30 yards of Cherry Creek keeper Mark Stone or his net until the final minute of the first quarter. That offensive possession, like so many others, ended in a turnover.
“When we play a high-caliber team like Cherry Creek, we get some nerves,” Shriver said. “When we finally got the ball, we ended up throwing it away.”
Air Academy, however, made its first shot on goal count. Kyle Boyd picked up a loose ball in front of the Bruins’ net and beat backup goalie Jeff Barton one minute into the third quarter.
But the Kadets were overmatched from the opening faceoff.
The Bruins scored 23 seconds into the action, on their first shot, then made the score 2-0 about a minute later.
By the fourth minute of play, the score was 5-0 and Cherry Creek’s offense was clicking.
“We talk about being unselfish and doing what’s best for the team,” Perry said. “It was important for us to set a tone.”
Air Academy 0 0 1 0 – 1
Cherry Creek 7 3 4 2 – 16
Goals – AA: Boyd; CC: Hoselton 3, Kerr 3, Biemford 2, Bolling 2, Driver 2, Giancola 2, Mueller, Platt.
Assists – CC: Hoselton, Biemford, Bolling, Driver, Mueller, Sanders, McKinstry, Jensen.
Shots on goal – Air Academy 0-0-2-1 – 3, Cherry Creek 11-5-8-5 – 29. Saves – Air Academy (Allan) 4-2-4-3 – 13; Cherry Creek (Stone) 0-0-0-0 – 0, (Barton) 0-0-1-1 – 2.
