ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Cole Chapleski scored in the 84th minute Wednesday night on an indirect free kick set up by a controversial call, giving Broomfield a 1-0 overtime victory over Mullen in the Class 4A state championship.
Referees awarded Broomfield the indirect free kick after a Mullen player went down, stopping play. Officials placed the ball near the left sideline where the ball was when the Mullen player went down.
Gabe Whitney, Broomfield’s free-kick specialist who had been giving the Eagles great scoring chances all night with his placements, kicked the ball from the sideline toward the middle of the field, where Chapleski headed it past Mullen goal keeper Phil Rendell and into the right-rear corner of the net.
The Broomfield side erupted with joy, while the call drew animated protests from several Mullen players that lasted several minutes. Mullen’s coaches also approached Colorado High School Activities Commissioner Bill Reader just before he awarded Broomfield with its trophy.
Tensions quickly eased, and the teams shook hands.
The play capped top-seeded Broomfield’s perfect season (20-0-0).
The Eagles, who were playing in their third straight title game, have won four boys state soccer championships since 1999. They also won crowns in 2002 and ’05.
Mullen (10-8-2), the No. 23 seed from Denver, played hard and came close to beating Broomfield in regulation.
In the 86th minute, Nick Brant took a hard shot that appeared would give the Mustangs the lead. But Broomfield keeper Ben Sabados made a diving stop to his right just before the ball crossed the goal line.
Mullen pressured Broomfield in the first half, getting three shots on goal and keeping the ball in the Eagles end for a good portion of the first 40 minutes.
The schools played a frantic second half, trading several scoring opportunities.
Mullen had five shots on goal and three corner kicks, while Broomfield finished with four shots and two corners.
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