FORT COLLINS — Rocky Mountain boys soccer coach Daniel Ibañez estimates his club graduated about 90 percent of the scorers who helped produce more than 70 goals last season.
Yet such inexperience on offense is less of a problem than it normally would be with a player like Josh Johnson patrolling the goal.
The Lobos’ senior goalkeeper made the game-turning plays in a showdown of two No. 1-ranked teams Wednesday, recording several stellar saves in the second half to preserve Rocky Mountain’s 1-0 victory against Niwot.
Johnson finished with five saves, including two impressive ones in succession after an Andrew Fenn goal gave Rocky Mountain the lead midway through the second half. Rocky Mountain, the top-ranked team in Class 5A, improved to 2-0. Niwot, No. 1 in Class 4A, fell to 1-1.
“After a big goal, Niwot did exactly what a good team should do and just pressed us hard,” Ibañez said. “I thought we were cooked there for a moment, but Josh saved the day. He was a big guy for us today. I’d give him the MVP.”
After a scoreless first half, sophomore midfielder Ricardo Perez started Rocky Mountain’s scoring play with a run through the middle of the field, leaving the ball for freshman David Morales near the top of the penalty box. Although he was fighting through defensive traffic, Morales managed to leave the ball for Fenn, whose low liner eluded the dive of Niwot goalie Josh Watt.
“The defense gave us some space, and we hadn’t tested the goalie too much so I decided to give it a crack,” Fenn said. “If you play good defense like Niwot, it comes down to those little opportunities. You have to take advantage of them.
“This certainly boosts our stock among the other teams in the state and gives us a little confidence going into conference play.”
Niwot standout midfielder Santiago Velez missed the Cougars’ first game last week while taking an official visit to Ohio State, and afterward he commited to the Buckeyes.
Niwot 0 0 — 0
Rocky Mountain 0 1 — 1
Goal —Fenn (Morales), RM, 59th minute. Shots on goal — N 1-4—5; RM 3-1—4. Saves: N (Watt 3); RM (Johnson 5). Corner kicks — N 2-5—7; RM 2-2—4. Fouls — N 4-4—8; RM 5-7—12. Offsides — N 2-1—3; RM 1-0—1.
