(5) Mullen 2, (1) Broomfield 1
ENGLEWOOD — Four years later, Mullen has a measure of revenge against Broomfield.
In the first playoff matchup featuring the teams since Broomfield beat the Mustangs on a widely publicized controversial call in the 2007 Class 4A state finals, No. 5 Mullen upended the top-seeded Eagles 2-1 on Saturday in the semifinals at Pirate Stadium.
“It is revenge, a little bit,” said Mullen senior Josh Mascolo, who scored the winning goal. “In a way, it’s our own new beginning, getting to state and trying to do something with Mullen soccer.”
The sun didn’t shine much, but when it did late in the contest, it was into the eyes of Broomfield keeper Hayden Estes. In the 70th minute, Mascolo ripped a shot from the right flank past Estes to the far post.
“We saw he was a having a little trouble and figured if we just kept pressuring, they’d slip up somehow,” Mascolo said.
Estes indicated that vision had gotten difficult, but Eagles coach Jim Davidson didn’t blame the sun for the loss.
“(Mascolo) got enough space to work with to close it quick enough,” Davidson said. “He had the right finish at the far post.”
Mascolo also had a hand, er, foot in Mullen’s first goal, as his sweet feed set up a first-half tally by Skyler Erickson that tied it 1-1. Broomfield (14-4-1) had taken a 1-0 lead on a rebound goal by Clay Fiscus in the 25th minute.
Mullen 1 1 — 2
Broomfield 1 0 — 1
Goals — B: Fiscus (unassisted), 25th minute; M: Erickson (Mascolo), 31st; Mascolo (Morrison), 70th.
Shots on goal — Mullen 2-4 — 6; Broomfield 2-3 — 5. Saves — Mullen (O’Connor) 1-3 — 4; Broomfield (Estes) 1-3 — 4. Corner kicks — Mullen 2-0 — 2; Broomfield 1-2 — 3. Yellow cards — Brazelton, M, 78th.
(2) Evergreen 1, (11) Niwot 0
In the other semifinal, a spectacular goal by Ethan Jackson in the 70th minute sent second-seeded Evergreen to a 1-0 win over No. 11 Niwot.
The Cougars (17-2), seeking their first title since 1989, will take on Mullen in the state championship game Wednesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Jackson, a junior forward, took a pass from midfielder Colton Cavey and left-footed it about 25 yards past diving Niwot keeper Josh Watt. “I looked up and saw the keeper was out of place,” Jackson said. “It came to me, and I had to just rip it.”
Niwot (14-4-1) had one last gasp with 7.4 seconds to play, but Isaac Nelson’s free kick from 19 yards out was saved by Clemens Burkhardt.
“The last 7.4 seconds were the most frightening of my life,” Jackson said.
Niwot 0 0 — 0
Evergreen 0 1 — 1
Goal — E. Jackson (Cavey), 70th minute.
Shots on goal — Niwot 2-3 — 5; Evergreen 2-2 — 4. Saves — Niwot (Watt) 2-0 — 2, (Jackson) 0-1 — 1; Evergreen (Burkhardt) 2-2 — 4. Corner kicks — Niwot 1-1 — 2; Evergreen 2-0 — 2. Yellow cards — Pearson, N, 39th; Watt, N, 53rd; Montealegre, N, 65th; E. Jackson, E, 77th.
