Boys soccer: First-round postseason preview capsules
Oct. 24—The boys' soccer postseason begins this week as teams hailing from either Boulder, Broomfield or Longmont will look to end what's been a bit of a state-title drought for these soccer-rich areas.
The last local champ was Fairview two seasons ago, winning the 5A title in the spring of 2021.
Jefferson Academy was in the 3A finals in the fall of 2021, followed by the Knights and Peak to Peak (3A) a year ago. But none of them won.
The 5A and 3A 32-team brackets open on Wednesday, as does one game in 4A — No. 26 Erie at No. 7 Steamboat Springs. The rest of the 4A's 32 goes Thursday, followed by 2A's start to its 16-team bracket Friday.
Out of the 15 local teams spread across the four classifications, Legacy is the top seed in 5A for a second straight season after winning a share of the Front Range League. Centaurus is second behind two-time defending champ Northfield in 4A. Peak to Peak is third in 3A.
Below is a quick look at local teams in the opening round.
Class 5A
No. 1 Legacy vs. No. 32 Lakewood
Details: Wednesday, 6 p.m., at Adams 12 Five Star Stadium
One thing to know: Lucas Montera recorded his Front Range League-leading 37th point on an assist in the league championship game, which ended in a 1-1 draw against No. 10 Fossil Ridge. Behind Montera, the offense is out-producing last season's — a team that included one of the best pure goal-scorers in the state, Cooper Stephens — averaging half a goal more per game (up from 2.4 to 2.9).
No. 7 Broomfield vs. No. 26 Chaparral
Details: Wednesday, 6 p.m., at Elizabeth Kennedy Stadium
One thing to know: Marcus Von finished the season with the FRL-South lead in goals at 15. A sturdy 15, mind you. Not as if he ran up his total in a few mismatches. In the regular season, he scored in 10 different games and had at least a goal in six of his last eight.
No. 12 Fairview vs. No. 21 Mountain Vista
Details: Wednesday, 6:45 p.m., at Fairview High School
One thing to know: The Knights have reached the semifinals in two of the past three seasons, including their spring 2021 championship run. They were also the 12 seed when they went through the bracket last season, finishing runner-up to champ Denver East.
No. 15 Boulder vs. No. 18 Grandview
Details: Wednesday, 7 p.m., at Christian Recht Field
One thing to know: The Panthers come into the postseason on a nice run, winning five of their last six. They had three goals apiece in wins against No. 20 Fort Collins and No. 22 Rocky Mountain last week.
Class 4A
No. 2 Centaurus vs. No. 31 Pueblo West
Details: Thursday, 5 p.m., at Spangenberg Field
One thing to know: The Warriors beat Silver Creek in their regular-season finale for a second straight season to claim the Northern Colorado Athletics Conference title. In the most recent, Angel Macias scored twice as they rallied back from a 3-1 second half deficit.
No. 5 Silver Creek vs. No. 28 Thompson Valley
Details: Thursday, 5 p.m., at Silver Creek High School
One thing to know: The Raptors tout one of the more impressive resumés in the classification, led by wins against 5A No. 15 Boulder, No. 24 Horizon, 4A No. 6 Skyline, No. 11 Niwot, No. 14 Longmont and No. 16 Mead. They also tied 5A No. 12 Fairview and lost 1-0 to No. 1 Legacy.
No. 6 Skyline vs. No. 27 Skyview
Details: Thursday, 6 p.m., at Skyline High School
One thing to know: Brian Heredia leads the classification in goals (25) and points (63). The Falcons' lead 4A in goals with 87. The next highest is two-time defending champ Northfield with 71.
No. 11 Niwot vs. No. 22 Pueblo Centennial
Details: Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at Niwot High School
One thing to know: The Cougars haven't allowed a goal in five games this month, outscoring teams in the Longs Peak League 26-0. The last goal against them was in a 2-1 loss to No. 6 Skyline on Sept. 28.
No. 14 Longmont vs. No. 19 Golden
Details: Thursday, 3:30 p.m., at Everly-Montgomery Field
One thing to know: The Trojans, sitting at 9-5-1, already have the most wins in a season since 2015. That year, they won 15 games and reached the state quarterfinals.
No. 16 Mead vs. No. 17 George Washington
Details: Thursday, 6 p.m., at Mead High School
One thing to know: With 55 points and 24 goals in the regular season, Logan Knight is only behind Skyline's Brian Heredia in 4A. The Mavs senior had 22 goals and 57 points in his previous three seasons.
No. 26 Erie vs. No. 7 Steamboat Springs
Details: Wednesday, 6 p.m., at Steamboat Springs High School
One thing to know: The Tigers are a wildcard at the 26 seed due to the fact they play a 5A schedule inside the Front Range League. On Sept. 2, they tied the Sailors 1-1.
Class 3A
No. 3 Peak to Peak vs. No. 30 Bayfield
Details: Wednesday, 6 p.m., at Peak to Peak High School
One thing to know: The Pumas beat No. 1 Colorado Academy and No. 2 Kent Denver during the regular season, but sputtered in their last two games, losing to No. 4 Forge Christian before drawing with No. 23 The Academy.
No. 26 Prospect Ridge vs. No. 7 Frontier Academy
Details: Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., at Frontier Academy
One thing to know: Cole McLemore has 117 saves in net this season, ninth-most in the 3A classification. He had 26 saves and allowed just one goal in his last three games.
No. 28 Jefferson Academy vs. No. 5 Arrupe Jesuit
Details: Wednesday, 6 p.m., at Regis University
One thing to know: The Jaguars, sitting 0-9-6, haven't won a game this season. Though, all six of their draws are against 3A postseason teams — No. 3 Peak to Peak, No. 11 Fort Lupton, No. 18 Atlas Preparatory School, No. 22 Stargate School, No. 26 PRA and No. 29 Aurora West College Prep.
Class 2A
No. 9 Dawson vs. No. 8 Telluride
Details: Friday, 1 p.m., at Vail Mountain School
One thing to know: The Mustangs have three double-digit goal scorers in Charlie Martin (15), Finn Almond (12) and Sean Quinn (10). Nathan Duckett is third on the team in points with 25 (nine goals, seven assists).
