The No. 2 seeded Cherry Creek Bruins started strong through the
first couple rounds of the 5A state championship tournament.
With a couple of exciting games, Arapahoe had a strong push
through the playoffs, while Heritage met with a disappointing
end.
Arapahoe (5A)
Arapahoe entered the Class 5A state playoffs with an 8-2-5
record and the No. 11 seed. In the first round, the Warriors put up
a 1-0 overtime win against No. 22 seed Ponderosa.
Senior Craig Ratterman had the game-winning overtime goal for
Arapahoe. Senior goalkeeper Shay Neimeyer had six saves for the
shut out.
In the second round, the Warriors faced No. 6 seeded Fairview.
Results from the game were unavailable by press time.
Cherry Creek (5A)
Cherry Creek earned its spot in the 5A playoffs as the
tournament’s No. 2 seed with an 11-1-3. In the first round, the
Bruins defeated No. 31 Gateway with a 4-0 final.
Creek junior Karsten Hanlin scored one goal and assisted two
others against the Olympians. Josh Alswang scored one and assisted
another. Junior Cole Davis had two assists. Senior Joey Logsdon and
Emil Czernicki each scored a goal as well. Junior goalkeeper Blaine
Barsch finished with three saves for the shut out.
In the second round, Creek posted a 3-2 overtime win over the
No. 15 seed Fort Collins.
Freshmen Jacob Hanlin and Miguel Jamie each had a goal during
regular play. Senior Dylan Slack and Alswang each had an assist. In
the overtime period, it was Karsten Hanlin who drilled the
unassisted game winner. Barsch had four saves.
With the win, the Bruins advances to the quarterfinals round
against No. 10 seed Bear Creek. Results from the game were not
available by press time.
Heritage (5A)
Heritage had a solid showing in the season with an 11-3 record
and a No. 5 seed in the 5A playoffs; however, the Eagles met with a
discouraging final game in the first round of the tournament.
Against the No. 28 seeded Ralston Valley, the Eagles season
ended on a 1-0 double-overtime final in Valley’s favor.
Valley junior goalkeeper denied Heritage from hitting the
webbing seven times before his teammate Aaron Safadi scored the
game winner, assisted by Crosby Lee.
Valor Christian (4A)
Valor Christian entered the Class 4A state championship
tournament as the No. 32 seed with a 5-8-2 record. The Eagles were
eliminated in the first round by the No. 1 seeded Cheyenne Mountain
after a 4-0 final.
Valor’s freshman goalkeeper Connor Georgopulos had 11 saves in
the game.
