Colorado Academy opened its doors Wednesday to rival Denver Christian before slamming the door on the Class 3A Metropolitan League title race.
Playing at home because of Denver Christian’s soaked pitch, the top-ranked Mustangs used ample possession to break down the Crusaders for a 2-0 victory at Slater Field in a matchup of 2006 state semifinalists.
Marlena Hartman-Filson scored four minutes into the second half, and Meagan Slater added the insurance goal as the Mustangs (11-1, 7-0 in league) remained undefeated against 3A competition this season.
Colorado Academy wraps up league play Monday against St. Mary’s Academy knowing a positive result will all but guarantee a No. 1 seed for the playoffs.
Mustangs senior Sarah Feldmann orchestrated events in the midfield, holding the ball and distributing it at her leisure as the third-ranked Crusaders (7-3, 2-2-1) sat back looking for the counterattack.
The Mustangs had six shots on goal before halftime, but nothing particularly troubling for Crusaders keeper Leanne Draayer. Feldmann rattled a shot off the post in the 31st minute to punctuate the growing frustration.
“A lot of times our problem is we try to go straight down the middle,” said Feldmann, who will attend Dartmouth this fall. “We get most of our success coming from out wide. In the first half we created a lot of opportunities, but they weren’t good opportunities.”
Said Mustangs coach Owen Schreffler, “We need to be more patient.”
Four minutes was all it took. Emma Harrington’s long pass found Hartman-Filson, who managed to stay onside before firing a shot underneath a diving Draayer.
Fourteen minutes later the Mustangs put the victory away on Slater’s well-measured chip from the middle of the penalty area that snuck over Draayer’s head.
Elizabeth Stillwell nearly made it three goals but was denied by the post in the 74th minute.
The Crusaders had dangerous moments attacking with Jenna Kuzava and Lindsay Landhuis, but without control of the midfield, they were left chasing moments and half-chances.
“We were content, for some reason, to let them have the ball in the middle without letting them know we were there,” Crusaders coach Brad Homan said.
Goalie Erica Fox needed just one save as the Mustangs recorded their fourth straight shutout and seventh of the season.
Denver Christian 0 0 – 0
Colorado Academy 0 2 – 2
Goals – Hartman-Filson (Harrington), 44th minute; Slater (Ergen), 58th.
Shots on goal – Denver Christian 1-0 – 1; Colorado Academy 6-4 – 10. Saves – Denver Christian (Draayer) 6-2 – 8; Colorado Academy (Fox) 1-0 – 1. Offsides – Denver Christian 0-0 – 0; Colorado Academy 1-0 – 1. Corner kicks – Denver Christian 1-0 – 1; Colorado Academy 2-1 – 3. Fouls – Denver Christian 0-1 – 1; Colorado Academy 0-3 – 3. Yellow cards – None.
