Denver Post preps editor Kyle Newman caught up with Niwot soccer head coach Stephen Dimit ahead of the Cougars’ Class 4A semifinal match against Centaurus.
Q: What are the keys against Centaurus (15-2-1, Northern League champs) in order to advance to play for the program’s second state title and first since 2009?
A: We have to be able to shut down their really aggressive attack, we have to hold the ball well and we have to finish our chances. That’s something we didn’t do a great job of in our first game against those guys this year, so that’s what we’re focusing on this time.
Q: That earlier loss to Centaurus was a 2-1, double overtime setback Oct. 5, and you’ve also had four other matches go into overtime this fall, including the 1-0 double overtime victory over in the quarterfinals. Are you feeling good about your chances in another tight match?
:We’ve had to to play in all kinds of circumstances, and in a lot of tough matches in our region against local rivals. I do feel like we’ve got the grit to pull that off based on what we’ve done this year.
Q: What’s the difference between last year’s 9-7 team and this season’s 15-1-2 semifinal squad?
:The guys just came back hungry. They’ve been working so hard in 2017 to get to this point, and they set it as a goal after an early playoff exit last year in the first round round on penalties to Evergreen. So credit to them, because I’ve had a lot of teams say it before, but this is one team that put their money where their mouth was and got it done.
Q: Who are your main catalysts?
A: Cam Lee, Tyler Crall, Nicholas Grant, Jason Rodriguez — all guys who were returning starters from last year who are seniors this year, and they’ve all worked for this moment. A lot of those guys are on our defense, because we have an all-senior back line and they’re fueling this push right now.
Q: What’s your analysis on the other 4A semifinal, (18-0, Pikes Peak champions) against (17-1, Colorado Springs Metro champions)?
:I’ve coached against Air Academy more times than I can count (as ‘s head coach) and I know both are solid programs. Both head coaches have done a phenomenal job, and they’ve been there for a long time, so they have well-established systems and their teams play with a lot of discipline.
Q: Is there extra motivation going into Wednesday considering that loss to Centaurus during the regular season ultimately cost you the league title?
:We feel like we let one get away in that game. The league title really came down to really just a handful of seconds, where they got a goal and we didn’t. I’m not sure we need any more motivation at this point, but I think if we lose that game in league and come back and beat them in the semifinals … You know, we’ll take it.
CHSAA soccer semifinals
Class 5A (EchoPark Stadium)
No. 1 vs No. 5 Grandview, 5 p.m.
No. 3 vs. No. 7 Broomfield, 7 p.m.
Class 4A (Legacy Stadium)
No. 1 Air Academy vs. No. 5 The Classical Academy, 5 p.m.
No. 3 Niwot vs. No. 7 Centaurus, 7 p.m.
Class 3A (Englewood High School)
No. 8 vs. No. 4 , 5 p.m.
No. 3 vs. No. 2 , 7 p.m.
