New 3A boss: Peak to Peak soccer nears league title, beats No. 1 CA
Oct. 10—LAFAYETTE — It's become something of a given that Metro League boys soccer powerhouses Colorado Academy and Kent Denver will compete for a Class 3A state title, winning nine times over the past 11 seasons.
While they have remained the annual favorites in the class and league, Peak to Peak has quietly emerged — and as of Tuesday night, the Pumas are looking up to no one.
Jorden Gyaltsen scored twice as No. 3 Peak to Peak rallied to beat No. 1 Colorado Academy, 2-1, in a rematch of the 2022 championship game.
A festive student section was restrained from rushing the field as time expired, but only momentarily. They mobbed the Pumas (11-0-2, 6-0-1 3A/2A Metro), who took a major step in claiming their first league title since 2010, when they were grouped with different teams, and a chance at the No. 1 seed in the upcoming postseason.
"It means everything to the boys," said Gyaltsen, who'd been sick the past week, his coach noted. "Last year, we obviously had a bit of disappointment in the finals, but this year the guys aren't disheartened and there's no disappointment. We're back to win it all."
After CA keeper Clyde Love denied him the equalizer late in the half, Gyaltsen wrapped his fingers around his head in disgust. The sulk didn't last and neither did the Mustangs' lead as he responded with a goal on a free kick in the 37th minute and the penalty winner in the 51st.
The Pumas have long talked about their pride in showing resilience when down and facing adversity. They'd trailed Kent Denver before rallying for victory in August, and on this night, they came back to beat the Mustangs for the first time since 2015 — handing CA its first loss since Sept. 10, 2022.
"Like in life, everyone achieves something a little bit more in their lives when they're faced with adversity or setbacks," third-year coach James Wagenschutz said. "We train for adversity because I expect for them to have some in their lives. What a great opportunity to learn through the game of soccer."
The Mustangs took the lead in the 24th on a play set up by Simeon Woldeyohannes. The reigning 3A player of the year, who scored twice in the Mustangs' 2-1 title win over the Pumas last fall, drew goalie Benjamin Murdock out toward him to the left and crossed through traffic to Christoff Zimmerman for an open-net finish.
The Pumas erased it as Gyaltsen's free kick bent past CA's wall and tucked inside the right corner of the net. His PK then went the opposite way of Love's diving attempt, giving them a 2-1 advantage with 29:24 remaining.
With two league games remaining — on the road at No. 4 Forge Christian Thursday and at No. 16 The Academy Oct. 18 — Peak to Peak is a game up in the Metro League standings and owns the tiebreaker over the Mustangs (10-1-2, 5-1-1) and the second-ranked Sun Devils (10-1-1, 6-1).
"It's a wonderful victory," Wagenschutz said. "But we already have to prepare for the next match."
