LITTLETON — It took Cherry Creek double overtime — a total of 105 minutes — to score the only goal of the match to advance to the Warrior Invitational final. But in the championship game, the Bruins wasted no time getting on the scoreboard.
Cherry Creek senior Essence LaNeir scored in the fifth minute Saturday as the Bruins (3-0-1) beat Heritage 5-0 to take home the Warrior Invitational championship.
“Tonight, the offense was really clicking,” Cherry Creek coach David Paynter said. “The creativity up front was really good, and we got some really good chances.”
Despite giving up the early goal, Heritage (3-1-0) held strong for most of the half. The Eagles picked their spots to push forward and attack on offense. In the 23rd minute, with the score still in favor of the Bruins at 1-0, the Eagles had their chance.
“The difference was in making plays. We didn’t make plays and the Creek girls did,” Eagles coach Adam Buseck said.
Sydney Goetz’s shot flew past the outstretched hands of Bruins goalkeeper Cathlin Murphy but careened off the post. Cherry Creek went on to score two goals in the next 10 minutes. That gave the Bruins a solid 3-0 lead at halftime.
They scored two goals in the second half because of constant pressure from LaNeir and Ryan Williams. But it was also the play of the defense and the goalkeeping of Murphy that allowed the Bruins to be so aggressive.
“We didn’t give up too many opportunities,” Paynter said. “So, again, that gives the offense a chance to be a little more creative up front and play a little more freely.”
Cherry Creek won three games against some of the top competition in the state to win the invitational. The Bruins first handled Sand Creek 8-4 and then beat Denver East 1-0 before the championship match.
“This tournament is the class of the state,” Buseck said. Heritage had to beat Arapahoe 1-0 on Friday to advance. The Warriors were in the final four of last year’s state playoffs. “So you get the best teams, and it is very competitive.”
