AURORA — The East Angels figured the best way to beat the team with all the pressure was to just add some more.
The Angels harassed the top-seeded Rangeview Raiders from the onset, scored twice in a four-minute span and kept their cool down the stretch for a smash-and-grab 2-0 victory Tuesday in the Class 5A state quarterfinals.
Zach Bolden set up a pretty first goal for the No. 8 Angels (16-2-0) and converted a soft penalty kick at Aurora Public Schools Stadium to stun the previously unbeaten and preseason No. 1 Raiders (15-1-2).
“We just knew that if we came out as hard as we possibly could, we could (win),” Bolden said.
East, which won its only state soccer title in 1994, advances to play fellow surprise and 20th seed Bear Creek (11-5-2), which knocked out Fairview on penalty kicks.
“That’s a credit to Denver East and how hard they played,” Raiders coach Vic Strouse said of Rangeview’s few scoring chances. “They defended with passion, and they worked their tails off.”
The Raiders regrouped in the second half and would hit the post twice but could not score, even when James Rucker seemed to be inches from pushing the ball past Angels keeper Grant Simon.
East 2 0 — 2
Rangeview 0 0 — 0
Goals – Klien (Bolden), 14th minute; Bolden (penalty kick), 18th. Shots on goal – East 2-0 – 2; Rangeview 1-1 – 2. Saves – East (Simon) 1-1 – 2; Rangeview (Euell) 0-0 – 0. Offsides – East 0-0 – 0; Rangeview 0-1 – 1. Fouls – East 8-9 – 17; Rangeview 5-2 – 7. Yellow card – Bolden, East, 67th minute.
