BOULDER — With its impressive offensive blend of size, speed, and skill, the Fairview boys soccer team brought Ralston Valley down to earth in a hurry Tuesday.
Clearly unimpressed with the Mustangs’ surprising 4-0 start, the host Knights ambushed Ralston Valley with three goals in the first half, paving the way for a 4-0 victory in a Class 5A nonconference showdown.
No. 7-ranked Fairview had scored just five goals during its first three games but unleashed an offensive salvo against the eighth-ranked Mustangs that included two goals by junior forward Shane O’Neill.
“That was the part of the field we were struggling with through our first three games, so we wanted to get a couple goals on the board tonight,” Fairview coach Stan Jozwiak said. “(The offense) has impressed me with what they’ve done. We do have some good athleticism in the front and in the middle.”
Fairview (2-0-2) pressed its attack early and never relented, netting its first goal in the fifth minute when O’Neill worked around a Ralston Valley defender to create a one-on-one chance against Mustangs goalie Brett Mapes.
The Knights padded their lead 10 minutes later on a wicked left-footed liner by Amos Nash from about 30 yards out. O’Neill was in the right place at the right time for his second goal, converting a point-blank rebound after a long free kick by Jared Davis ricocheted off the right post, giving Fairview a 3-0 lead at halftime.
Eric Kronenberg completed the scoring early in the second half, beating Mapes off Davis’ second assist of the match. Fairview, which already has faced three top-10 teams, opens Front Range League play at defending 5A state champion Fort Collins on Thursday.
“Tonight was the first night that we really, really clicked,” O’Neill said. “We’re going to be a tough team to stop, because we do have a lot of speed and strength up front. This gives us a lot of confidence, especially going into the league.”
Ralston Valley 0 0 — 0
Fairview 3 1 — 4
Goals — O’Neill (Falkinburg), F, 5th minute; Nash, F, 10th minute; O’Neill (Davis), F, 26th minute; Kronenberg (Davis), F, 48th minute. Shots on goal: RV 2-2 — 4; F 6-2 — 8. Saves: RV (Mapes 4); F (Killeen 4). Corner kicks: RV 4-2 — 6; F 2-2 — 4. Fouls: RV 2-3 — 5; F 2-7 — 9.
