LAKEWOOD — Emma Auld was so giddy Wednesday night, words escaped her for a moment.
Then the sophomore found her composure, something Rocky Mountain did better than Chatfield throughout their Class 5A state quarterfinal match.
“If the other team is talking bad or getting rough, we’re not the kind of team to foul back,” Auld said. “We just stay calm and play our game, and that’s usually what helps us winning in the end.”
Auld had a foot in two goals as the game turned for the Lobos over a 45-second span in a 3-1 victory at Lakewood Memorial Field.
Auld put the No. 6 Lobos (17-0-1) up for good with a converted penalty kick in the 58th minute and set up freshman Jamie Vaughn for the backbreaking goal off a free kick in the 59th. Vaughn’s older sister, junior Kalie Vaughn, got the Front Range League champions off to a dream start with a goal in the third minute as the Chargers gave up three goals for the first time this season.
“We just proved that we wanted it more,” said Kalie Vaughn, who bagged her 21st goal of the season.
The Lobos will face No. 2 Heritage (15-0-3) on Saturday morning at Englewood’s Pirates Stadium.
The No. 3 Chargers (16-2-0) were undone by their lack of finishing in the first half as numerous chances resulted in shots off target or right into the arms of Lobos goalkeeper Raeleigh Withey. Geneva Gray scored the equalizer 37 seconds into the second half, but the Chargers were unable sustain the momentum before they were knocked flat by Auld’s penalty kick.
Chatfield was forced to chase most of the game after Kalie Vaughn corralled a bouncing pass, weaved through two defenders and tucked the ball inside the right post for the early goal.
“I think there were a little nerves there,” Chargers coach Brock Blume said.
The Chargers battled back fruitlessly for 37 minutes as Callie Hancock’s crosses went for naught and Tori Delmonico headed the ball off the crossbar in the 10th minute.
Rocky Mountain 1 2 — 3
Chatfield 0 1 — 1
Goals — RM: K. Vaughn (unassisted), 3rd minute; C: Gray (Hancock), 41st; RM: Auld (penalty kick), 58th; RM: J. Vaughn (Auld), 59th.
Shots on goal — Rocky Mountain 2-4 — 6; Chatfield 4-3 — 7. Saves — Rocky Mountain (Withey) 4-2 — 6; Chatfield (Gillmore) 1-2 — 3. Offsides — Rocky Mountain 1-1 — 2; Chatfield 0-0 — 0. Corner kicks — Rocky Mountain 1-2 — 3; Chatfield 1-2 — 3. Fouls — Rocky Mountain 5-7 — 12; Chatfield 3-7 — 10. Yellow cards — None.
