HIGHLANDS RANCH —Megan Massey scored the only goal of a highly emotional soccer rematch in the playoffs.
After losing last year to Columbine in the semifinals, No. 1 Mountain Vista defeated this year’s defending champ and No. 8-seed Columbine in the Class 5A soccer state quarterfinals Wednesday at Shea Stadium.
Mountain Vista coach Theresa Echtermeyer said, “we met them (Columbine) last year, and that brought a lot of emotion to it.” This was Vista’s revenge game.
Senior midfielder Megan Massey agreed this was a big game. “Everyone was really nervous going into this game because it was a repeat of last year when we lost to them (Columbine) in the semis,” Massey said.
She scored the lone goal in the 16th minute of the game.
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“We (ThunderRidge) scored that exact same goal against Rock Canyon when Amy (Alexander) chipped it to me,” Massey said.
Massey almost scored another goal, but was denied by the crossbar.
“It definitely wasn’t our cleanest game of the season. Usually we do a little bit better with possession, and finish our chances in the final third. I think we got a little frantic there at the end,” Echtermeyer said.
Columbine sophomore midfielder Amanda Porter was also rejected by the crossbar on a shot attempt that could have tied the game with 2:30 left in regulation.
Columbine junior midfielder Kelcey Cavarra said the Rebels had a hard time possessing the ball.
“Vista is a very offensive team, and we knew looking at the stats going into the game we really had to be on our toes on defense,” Cavarra said.
“I don’t think tonight was pretty, but sometimes you don’t have to play pretty to get the win,” Echtermeyer said.
Vista star Mallory Pugh is out of town at the U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team training camp in Carson, Calif., and did not play. Pugh will also miss Vista’s semifinal game against No. 4 Broomfield, which advanced with a 3-2 win over Pine Creek. If Vista advances to the championship, Pugh will be available to play.
Vista will play Broomfield at 11 a.m. Saturday at Legacy Stadium in Aurora.
Morgan Dzakowic: 303-954-1275, mdzakowic@denverpost.com or
