The playoffs arrived a week early for Kent Denver and Colorado Academy.
Going into Tuesday’s Class 3A Metro League girls soccer showdown, the ramifications were clear for both teams.
Win, and a berth in the 3A state tournament would be secure. Lose, and that team would have the unfortunate distinction of being a top 10-caliber team left out of the postseason mix.
Despite a recent slump and an untimely injury, freshman Natalie Ricci made sure Kent Denver’s season will continue.
Ricci scored a pair of goals in less than two minutes midway through the second half, lifting the No. 2-ranked Sun Devils to a 2-1 victory. The win secured the fifth and final playoff spot for Kent Denver (8-5-1, 4-3) out of Class 3A’s Region 6, while No. 9-ranked Colorado Academy will be forced to watch the postseason from the bleachers.
“It’s really hard because we’re essentially playing in five games that are state playoff-caliber games in our league,” said Colorado Academy coach Sean Stedeford. “Unfortunately one of us, being us now, has to go home and watch. I’m proud of the team and it was a great game.
“Both teams gave everything they had and knew what was on the line.”
Kent Denver had lost three of its previous four games and played without injured midfielder Krista D’Alessandro.
Yet the Sun Devils applied consistent pressure against the Colorado Academy defense before Ricci finally broke through after halftime. The forward put the Sun Devils on the scoreboard off an assist from Havana McElvaine in the 57th minute and gave Kent Denver a two-goal edge with another strike just 1:47 later.
Colorado Academy (8-5-1, 3-4-1) got within a goal on a rebound tally by Claire Burchenal with 7:57 remaining, but the Mustangs were unable to produce an equalizer down the stretch.
“It was our senior day and I think our girls really worked hard for our seniors,” said Kent Denver coach Krista Sahrbeck. “We’re righting the ship and hopefully turning it around at the right moment.”
Colorado Academy 0 1 — 1
Kent Denver 0 2 — 2
Goals — Kent Denver: Ricci (McElvaine), 57th minute; Ricci (Campbell), 59th; Colorado Academy: Burchenal (Cramer), 73rd.
Shots on goal — Colorado Academy 1-4 — 5, Kent Denver 3-7 — 10. Saves — Colorado Academy (Orendorf 8), Kent Denver (Kraus 3). Corner kicks — Colorado Academy 0-1 — 1, Kent Denver 1-1 — 2. Fouls — Colorado Academy 1-6 — 7, Kent Denver 3-8 — 11. Yellow cards — Colorado Academy: Clarke, Kent Denver: Pike.
