LAKEWOOD — The Longmont Trojans have been slowly putting themselves back together for the past month.
Their 2-0 Class 4A state soccer playoff victory Tuesday over D’Evelyn was certainly a big piece, but it pales in comparison to what comes next for the Trojans.
Longmont (10-3-3) earned a rematch against Northern League foe and crosstown rival Silver Creek in the second round and a chance to make amends for a humbling 6-0 loss suffered April 12.
“That was the furthest point we ever sank down,” Trojans coach Nathan Oliver said. “It will be good to come up.”
Longmont will play No. 1 Silver Creek (15-0-1) on Friday.
Against D’Evelyn, the 17th-seeded Trojans got goals from Alyssa Smith and Betsy Weeks and used their speed to create space and problems for the No. 16 Jaguars at Lakewood Memorial Field.
Smith turned the game on its ear with a looping 25-yard shot in the 27th minute before Weeks sealed the victory with a tap-in goal in the 77th.
“We have a lot of speed, and we definitely use that to our advantage because most defenders can’t keep up with our forwards,” Weeks said.
The Longmont defense did a good job protecting freshman goalkeeper Hannah Schwartz, who needed just two saves for the Trojans to notch their ninth shutout of the season.
The Jaguars (8-5-3), who had their ranks thinned by the flu, affecting several players, regrouped in the second half and produced several chances to equalize. But poor finishing and Longmont’s organized defense shut out the Jaguars.
The Trojans put the Jaguars on their heels early and finally broke through on a speculative shot by Smith, who turned and lobbed a ball inside the far post from distance.
“That ball, that seems like the one that has beaten us all year,” Jaguars coach Paul Moline said.
Weeks nearly put the game away in the 66th minute when she ran on a through ball from Bre Bailey, cut around D’Evelyn goalie Sarah Pogue, only to hit the post.
The Jaguars got their breakaway four minutes later but Lindsey Link fired wide.
Weeks slammed the door seven minutes later off a centering pass by Sierra Arndt. Weeks’ first shot was saved before she poked home the rebound.
Longmont 1 1 — 2
D’Evelyn 0 0 — 0
Goals — Smith (unassisted), 27th minute; Weeks (unassisted), 77th.
Shots on goal — Longmont 2-5 — 7; D’Evelyn 1-1 – 2. Saves — Longmont (Schwartz) 1-1 — 2; D’Evelyn (Pogue) 1-4 — 5. Offsides — Longmont 0-0 — 0; D’Evelyn 3-1 — 4. Corner kicks — Longmont 3-1 — 4; D’Evelyn 2-0 — 2. Fouls — Longmont 4-8 — 12; D’Evelyn 4-1 — 5. Yellow cards — None.
