Englewood – Miss Manners might not have approved of Karly Findorff’s preparation for her free kick Tuesday night, but it was all the forewarning her coach needed that something big was about to happen.
“My coach (Nikki Athey) said that when she saw me spit to the side that she could see it in my eyes,” said the All-Colorado senior midfielder from Cheyenne Mountain.
Just two minutes into overtime, Findorff crushed a 30-yard free kick that nestled inside the far post at Pirate Stadium to give the Indians a stunning 3-2 victory over Regis and their second Class 4A state championship in three years.
Findorff’s cracker was a wild end to a game that saw Regis, playing in just its fourth season, score twice in a span of 66 seconds to tie the game 2-2 with 15 minutes remaining. Both teams produced frantic half-chances before Findorff “stepped up” to ensure two goals from senior teammate Kelley Lawson didn’t go to waste.
Top-ranked in the preseason, the Indians (16-2-2) used their speed up top, Findorff’s steadying presence in the midfield and the defensive pressure of Mallory Pillard and Lauren Patterson to put the Raiders (13-5-2) out of sorts most of the contest.
“That is a huge part of our game,” Lawson said of the Indians’ long-ball attack, “but we also have the skill.”
Regis came roaring back with goals in the 64th and 65th minutes by Marissa Sampias and Keelin Winters.
“We weren’t going to go out without a fight,” Sampias said.
Lawson scored in the 18th minute when Patterson’s clearance set her free right through the middle of the Raiders’ defense.
Her speed set up the second goal as she got loose down the right side with only Sampias to beat at the top of the penalty area. Lawson cut inside, got kicked by Sampias and was awarded a penalty kick, which she converted with 1:47 left before halftime.
The Raiders rallied behind the play of Winters and Sampias. Sampias scored with a 42-yard free kick that beat goalie Caitlin Turner.
Sixty-six seconds later, Winters made it 2-2 with a spectacular 25-yard shot from the left side that fell just inside the far post.
4A SOCCER MVP
Some teams dump and chase the soccer ball because that’s all they can do. Cheyenne Mountain does it because most defenses can’t handle speedster Kelley Lawson. The senior forward scored twice Tuesday and was a handful all night as the Indians clinched their second state title in three years.
Regis 0 2 0 – 2
Cheyenne Mountain 2 0 1 – 3
Goals – CM: Lawson (Patterson), 18th minute; Lawson (penalty kick), 39th; R: Sampias (free kick), 64th; Winters (Flanigan), 65th; CM: Findorff (free kick), 83rd minute.
Shots on goal – Regis 1-3-0 – 4; Cheyenne Mountain 4-4-2 – 10. Saves – Regis (Thomas) 2-4-1 – 7; Cheyenne Mountain (Turner) 1-1-0 – 2. Offsides – Regis 2-0-0 – 2; Cheyenne Mountain 1-1-0 – 2. Corner kicks – Regis 1-1-0 – 2; Cheyenne Mountain 2-4-0 – 6. Fouls – Regis 6-5-1 – 12; Cheyenne Mountain 4-8-0 – 12. Yellow card – Schmidt, R, 10th minute.
