A look at Friday’s local first-round matchups in the Class 3A boys soccer state tournament.
(21) Jefferson Academy vs. (12) Telluride
When: 3 p.m., Friday at Vail Mountain H.S.
Records: Jefferson Academy (11-4); Telluride (12-2).
Notes: It wasn’t quite the end of the season that the Jaguars had in mind. They lost their last two games, including their finale on their new turf field to Colorado Academy, but prior to that had won seven straight … Jefferson Academy’s 4-4 mark in the highly competitive Metro League was good enough for a fifth-place finish … The Jags have scored 48 goals this season and at the forefront of their attack is senior Devin Weller and his 20 tallies … Weller has fought off a myriad of injuries to his knees and ankles this season … Senior goalie Ryan Moss has been suspectable to giving up goals, but has also been clutch against some of the better teams that have put more pressure on him … Telluride finished 11-1 in Class 3A Region 5, with their only loss coming to Crested Butte … The game will be played at Vail Mountain High School; the host Gore Rangers are the No. 5 seed and will open with Vanguard prior to JA’s game … The winners meet on Saturday at 2 p.m.
(20) Dawson School vs. (13) Faith Christian
When: 3 p.m., Friday at Denver Christian H.S.
Records: Dawson School (7-7-1); Faith Christian (9-4-2).
Notes: This is one of the more intriguing matches of the first round … From an outsider’s perspective it might be easy to sleep on the Mustangs, but be careful — coach David Martinez’s team has risen to the level of their competition. Dawson tied Faith 1-1 earlier in the season and six of the Mustangs’ seven losses have occurred by one goal and to some very good sides … Jose Gutierrez leads Dawson with nine goals, Carlos Veraza has eight and Tanner Fulkerson finished with seven … Junior goalie Josh Paquette has been solid in net, allowing just 12 goals all season. Against Faith earlier in the season, Paquette saved six of seven shots on goal … Senior defender Chase Brown, who did a great job of frustrating the Eagles attackers in the first match, will have to have a repeat performance on Friday … Faith Christian has won five of its last six games … The game will be played at Dawson’s Region 7 rival Denver Christian … The host Crusaders will open with KIPP Collegiate and the winners will play Saturday afternoon.
(19) Peak to Peak vs. (14) Pagosa Springs
When: 12:30 p.m., Friday at Roaring Fork H.S.
Records: Peak to Peak (7-8); Pagosa Springs (10-4).
Notes: As their record might indicate, it has been a topsy-turvy kind of season for the Pumas, who have not really gotten on a roll all year … That being said, the playoffs are a brand new season and Peak to Peak enters the second season having survived the state’s toughest league — the Metro — and will take that experience into the playoffs … Juniors Nathan Dee (13 goals, 6 assists) and Miguel Arriaga (9 goals) are the two most dangerous weapons up top for the Pumas’ attack … Freshman goalie Nate Fangman has faced a lot of shots this season and if the Pumas continue to advance in the playoffs, he will likely face even more. He has proven up to the task in big games and will need his defense in front of him to play well for the Pumas to go on a run … Pagosa Springs finished third in Region 5, behind Crested Butte and Telluride … Pirates junior James Berndt lead the team with 15 goals … The game will be played at Carbondale’s Roaring Fork High, where the host will play Roosevelt after Peak to Peak’s game … The second round game will be played on Saturday at 1 p.m.
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