LITTLETON — With new faces permeating the lineup, Broomfield boys soccer coach Jim Davidson believed his team would be a work in progress.
Well, it seems Broomfield is well ahead of schedule.
Broomfield continued its impressive season-opening surge Saturday in the championship match of the Arapahoe Invitational, battling neck-and-neck with the host Warriors, ranked No. 6 in Class 5A, before finally claiming the tournament crown in a penalty-kick session.
The Eagles (4-0), ranked No. 4 in Class 4A, have victories against defending 5A champion Fort Collins, Overland and Mullen, the fifth-ranked team in 4A.
“The boys have definitely surprised, but they are handling themselves beautifully,” Davidson said. “We’re maybe a little bit further along than we originally planned. With graduating that really talented group from last year, we thought it might leave a vacuum. Obviously the leadership has been really good and we’ve got some guys who are stepping up their play.”
One face that is not new for Broomfield is senior goalkeeper Brendan Buchanan. After he thwarted Arapahoe’s second and third penalty kicks with diving stops, Tyler Arko sealed the Eagles’ win by converting his team’s fourth attempt.
“I think we made a good statement here that we’re not rebuilding,” Buchanan said. “You just have to guess right on those PK’s.”
Arapahoe played without senior goalkeeper Shay Niemeyer, an honorable mention all-state selection last year, because of an injury. He is expected to return later this week.
Broomfield 0 0 0 0 — 0 (4)
Arapahoe 0 0 0 0 — 0 (1)
Goals (Penalty kick round) — B: Saunders, Lamb, Seitz, Arko; A: Townsend. Shots on goal: B 1-2-0-0 — 3; A 1-2-3-1 — 7. Saves: B (Buchanan 7); A (Seibold 0, Horvath 3). Corner kicks: B 1-0-0-0 — 1; A 1-1-0-0 — 2. Fouls: B 2-1-2-0 — 5; A 5-6-0-2 — 13.
