ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—Tommy Hrachovina scored two goals Wednesday night as 10th-seeded Smoky Hill upset top-seeded Grandview 3-1 in the Class 5A state championship at Englewood High School.
With the victory, Smoky Hill (15-3-1), from Aurora, avenged its 1-0 loss last month to Centennial League, and Aurora-rival Grandview (17-2-1). The Buffaloes also won their third state boys soccer title in four years and fifth overall.
Grandview was playing without coach Bruce Brown on the sidelines. He was forced to sit out most of the postseason after the first round of the playoffs when he received his third red card in five years.
Hrachovina gave Smoky Hill a 1-0 lead in the fifth minute off a pass from Stephen Solano Cargill on the right wing.
Grandview tied the game 1-1 in the 18th minute when Christian Saba scored into the top right corner off a pass on the left side from Nick Fish.
Seven minutes later, Smoky reclaimed the lead for good on an impressive goal by Cargill off Tony Rosales’ assist.
With a defender draped all over him, Rosales dribbled into the box on the left wing, drawing keeper Brian Sherpe to cover the post. Rosales then sent a hard pass to the right side where Cargill lunged at the ball, sending himself and the ball into the right-rear corner of the net.
Hrachovina scored the insurance goal in the 41st minute on a header from inside the 6-yard box. The goal was set up by Kyle Venter, whose assist came after a Grandview handball from the 40-yard line.
Grandview had several scoring opportunities in the second half, but Smoky Hill keeper Matt Howshar managed to make several saves.
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