ENGLEWOOD — There was a soccer match played Wednesday to determine the Class 4A state champion.
How it ended is a matter of debate.
For the record, top-seeded Broomfield capped an undefeated season and won its fourth state title when Cole Chapleski’s glancing header four minutes into the first overtime off Gabe Whitney’s free kick earned them a 1-0 victory over Mullen.
“They’re a good team, we’re a great team (and) tonight we became the best,” Chapleski said.
It was a thundering end to an even encounter that saw two skilled teams generate great scoring chances playing direct and with possession. Both defenses – anchored by strong center backs – snuffed out numerous dangerous passes around the penalty areas, and both keepers were solid.
A year after losing in the state final to Liberty, the Eagles (20-0) emerged perfect. The No. 23 Mustangs finished 10-8-2.
As Chapleski, a sophomore target forward, spun off in jubilation and was mobbed by teammates after the goal, the Mustangs chased the referees off the field at Pirate Stadium in an ugly scene of protest at a free kick that they hotly disputed. Plus, officials from the Colorado High School Activities Association were bumped and shoved at trophy time.
Unlike most controversial calls, players and coaches from both teams were in agreement.
Broomfield had possession about 30 yards from goal, and the referee stopped play as Mullen’s Jeff Johnson was on the ground and cramping. When play resumed, the Eagles were given an indirect free kick.
Whitney said he “had no idea what was going on” and the Eagles should have been awarded a throw-in.
Said longtime Broomfield coach Jim Davidson of the call: “I guess if I had been in those shoes I probably would have done something maybe a little different.”
Mustangs coach Jay McClain was more direct: “(The referee) influenced the outcome of the game, and that is (expletive). … What frustrates me is the stupid, three-whistle system that CHSAA has. Our soccer commissioner, Chuck Howell, doesn’t do jack about it. He sits in his chair, earns his paycheck, doesn’t do (expletive). He doesn’t try to work for the coaches. All he does is protect the officials. I hope you print that.”
Mullen 0 0 0 – 0
Broomfield 0 0 1 – 1
Goal – Chapleski (Whitney), 84th minute.
Shots on goal – Mullen 3-2-0 – 5; Broomfield 0-3-1 – 4. Saves – Mullen (Rendell) 0-3-0 – 3; Broomfield (Sabados) 3-2-0 – 5. Offsides – Mullen 0-0-0 – 0; Broomfield 3-0-0 – 3. Corner kicks – Mullen 2-2-0 – 4; Broomfield 0-2-1 – 3. Fouls – Mullen 12-13-0 – 25; Broomfield 10-7-1 – 18. Yellow cards – O’Connor, M, 51st minute; Reddy, B, 67th; Canham, M, 77th.
4A MVP
Good teams can make scoring chances out of every set piece. Thanks to senior Gabe Whitney, the Broomfield Eagles do. Whitney’s booming free kicks were dangerous all night, and he finally delivered the game-winning pass to Cole Chapleski in overtime.
