Wheat Ridge is unaccustomed to playing catch-up.
Their traditional plan of early scores followed by maintenance was disrupted Saturday. But that didn’t stop the Farmers (10-2) from claiming their sixth straight win, an 8-7 victory over Monarch.
“We didn’t play as well right out of the gates,” said Farmers senior Ryan O’Connor, who had the game-winning goal. “Usually our game is to get a few goals and then put it away.”
Monarch (8-4) held the lead for most of the first three quarters, forcing Wheat Ridge to work a slow offense that led to turnovers.
“We have been knocking on the door (as a top-tier team) and today I thought we were going to walk through it,” Monarch coach David Auday said. “That last minute was a tough go.”
Wheat Ridge trailed Monarch 4-3 heading into the final 12 minutes. With 10:12 remaining, Wheat Ridge sophomore Josh Kaufling tied the game as the Farmers began to mount an offensive push. O’Connor tossed in a quick goal, giving Wheat Ridge its first lead since the opening quarter, 5-4.
Monarch senior Dylan Ritger and junior Tim Metzger added back-to-back goals within 12 seconds, handing the lead back to the Coyotes.
Wheat Ridge senior and Notre Dame commit Nick Ossello, who made his debut this week after suffering a torn meniscus in the preseason, tied the game at 6 with 3:37 left.
As the Senior Day game hung in the balance, Ritger, a Colorado College commit, found junior Kyle Doner near the goal for an alley-oop pass to give the Coyotes their final lead.
Farmers senior Sander Aplet tossed in the game-tying goal before Monarch was called for an illegal crosscheck with 1:03 remaining. O’Connor found the net on a power-play goal to capture the win.
“We knew it was going to be like a barroom brawl out there,” Auday said. “And that’s what it was. Whenever Wheat Ridge and Monarch match up, it is always a dogfight.”
Wheat Ridge 1 1 1 5 — 8
Monarch 3 0 1 3 — 7
Goals-assists — Wheat Ridge, Kaufling 2-0, P. Aplet 2-0, Ossello 1-1, O’Connor 2-0, Osse 0-1, S. Aplet 1-0; Monarch, Doner 2-0, Ritger 3-1, Appenzeller 1-0, Puldy 0-1, Vendetti 0-1, Metzger 1-0.
Saves — Wheat Ridge (DeForge 11); Monarch (Burgdorff 11).
