(24) Heritage 1, (5) Adams City 0
ENGLEWOOD — The Cinderella slipper would have fit either Eagle.
But it was No. 24-seed Heritage, which finished sixth in the Continental League this season, that gets to wear it.
Heritage (14-5) made the most of its limited possessions and made Christian Vargas’ goal in the 15th minute stand up against an extremely talented Adams City team at Englewood Stadium in the Class 5A semifinals.
“We kind of struggled in the attacking half, so we relied on our defense and held strong as a team, and we did it,” Heritage defender Alex Goldstein said. “This is so much fun. We can’t wait to get to Dick’s.”
Heritage will play against Denver East for the state title at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
After the Vargas goal, which was set up after hard work in the corner by Austin Fuller, Heritage — which didn’t get a shot on frame in the final 60 minutes of the game — used size to its advantage against the skill and speed of Adams City.
Fifth-seeded Adams City (17-2), making its first state semifinals appearance in school history, had chance after chance in the second half. Junior Jonathan Roman had perhaps the best looks but was turned away both times by Heritage keeper Tim Erwin, who finished with seven saves.
“It’s amazing what these kids have given to us, the community and the school,” said Adams City coach Ramiro Loera, who loses just three seniors. “Even though there was a little frustration, the kids showed great composure and never panicked.”
Heritage 1 0 — 1
Adams City 0 0 — 0
Goal — Vargas (Fuller), 15th minute.
Shots on goal — Heritage 4-0 — 4; Adams City 2-5 — 7. Saves — Heritage (Erwin) 2-5 — 7; Adams City (Ontiveros) 3-0 — 3. Offside — Heritage 0-2 — 2; Adams City 1-3 — 4. Corner kicks — Heritage 1-3 — 4; Adams City 2-5 — 7. Fouls — Heritage 5-3 — 8; Adams City 2-2 — 4.
(3) Denver East 1, (15) Rock Canyon 0
It’s hard to miss Ashi Geberkidane.
The lanky Angels striker got behind Jaguars keeper Blake Foley and finished off a beautiful ball from defenseman Josh Merenstein in the 70th minute to advance the Angels to the title game for the first time since winning it all in 2008.
“It just kept drifting, and that was my perfect chance,” Geberkidane said. “We knew it was coming, and all we had to do was keep our heads.”
Rock Canyon nearly equalized with seven minutes to play on David Boldt’s shot from 6 yards out, but Angels keeper Marques McDonald sprawled and got his right hand on the shot to turn it away.
“They are a great team and they deserve to be in the final,” said Rock Canyon coach Sean Henning, whose team won the 4A title in 2008 after East won the 5A championship. “I’m very proud of my team and what we accomplished this whole season.”
Rock Canyon 0 0 — 0
Denver East 0 1 — 1
Goal — Geberkidane (Merenstein), 70th minute.
Shots on goal — Rock Canyon 3-2 — 5; East 4-5 — 9. Saves — Rock Canyon (Foley) 4-4 — 8; East (McDonald) 3-2 — 5. Offside — Rock Canyon 1-3 — 4; East 1-0 — 1. Corner kicks — Rock Canyon 1-2 — 3; East 0-2 — 2. Fouls — Rock canyon 3-5 — 8; East 6-7 — 13. Yellow cards — Rock Canyon bench, 43rd; Rehl, RC, 60th; Geberkidane, DE, 73rd; Delgadillo, DE, 78th.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354 or jyunt@denverpost.com
