ENGLEWOOD — There are some who will argue Rock Canyon is the best team in the state, regardless of classification, and the Jaguars are more than aware of their doubters.
They left little doubt on a chilly Wednesday night at Englewood Stadium, capping an undefeated run with a 3-0 victory over Niwot to claim the Class 4A state crown and give the school its first sports title since it opened its doors in 2003.
“I can’t make that claim,” said Rock Canyon coach Sean Henning, about whether his team (17-0-3) is the best in the state. “We went undefeated, and in a 5A league, so you can judge by that.”
Just two seasons removed from a 1-14 campaign, Rock Canyon’s title run through not only the 5A Continental League and a deep 4A field has it currently sitting at No. 19 in the NSCAA/Adidas national rankings.
“This justifies us being No. 1 in the state overall,” Jaguars sweeper Scott Branson said.
Niwot (16-3-1), seeded No. 6, not only withstood the early onslaught from the Jaguars but managed to control the run of play and create chances. That’s what made Rock Canyon’s first goal that much more amazing.
Against the run of play, midfielder Gustavo Hidalgo picked the pocket of his Niwot counterpart and sent a perfect ball over the top to Nick Croley, whose shot was handled, then dropped by Cougars goalie Connor Wood. Alex Tarnoczi was johnny-on- the-spot and punched home the critical first goal.
“In my opinion I thought we were outplaying them and thought we were the better team, but soccer is a cruel game like that sometimes,” Niwot coach Steve Lepper said. “They got that goal before halftime and gave them some confidence, which I’m not sure they deserved.”
The lead allowed the Jaguars to sit back, and included moving Tarnoczi back into a defensive midfield position, and forced Niwot to be creative and to make plays.
When the Cougars pressed too much, Rock Canyon had an answer. Hidalgo, nicknamed “Goose” by his teammates, hooked up with Croley again in the 65th minute with a beautiful looping pass over the top of the Niwot defense and Croley finished with ease.
“When I step on the field, I always have to remember I am the smallest guy on the field, and my dad always reminds of that,” said the 5-foot-5, 125 pound Hidalgo, who was named The Denver Post’s title game MVP. “But he always tells me you got to put all you got into it to make up for it.”
Nick Graybeal iced the game five minutes later. While fighting for possession with Niwot’s Nick Terry, Graybeal managed to get just enough on a left-footed shot that beat Wood inside his near post.
Niwot 0 0 — 0
Rock Canyon 1 2 — 3
Goals — Tarnoczi (unassisted), 34th minute; Croley (Hidalgo), 65th; Graybeal (unassisted), 70th.
Shots on goal — Niwot 2-2 — 4; Rock Canyon 5-5 — 10. Saves — Niwot (Wood) 3-3 — 6; Rock Canyon (Scanlan, 40 mins.) 2-0 — 2, (Lissek, 40 mins.) 0-2 — 2. Corner kicks — Niwot 1-2 — 3; Rock Canyon 2-2 — 4. Offside — Niwot 1-0 — 1; Rock Canyon 2-1 — 3. Fouls — Niwot 6-4 — 10; Rock Canyon 7-7 — 14. Yellow cards — None.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
MVP
Gustavo Hidalgo came to the United States three years ago from his native Peru, with his father, not only to make a better life for himself, but “to play soccer. That’s why I’m here.” Hidalgo, all 5-feet-5, 125 pounds of him, controlled the midfield and set up two of Rock Canyon’s three goals.
