Arvada West sophomore Luke Drumright (9 in white) fires a shot that eventually found the back of the net Wednesday night at the North Area Athletic Complex. Drumright’s goal gave the Wildcats a 1-0 victory against No. 5 Columbine in the Class 5A Jeffco League game. (Dennis Pleuss)
ARVADA — Arvada West won’t easily let go of the Class 5A Jeffco League boys soccer title.
The three-time defending conference champions scored a much-needed league win Wednesday night at the North Area Athletic Complex. A-West handed Columbine, ranked No. 5 in this week’s CHSAANow.com 5A boys soccer poll, its first loss of the season. The Wildcats (6-6, 3-1 in league) took a 1-0 victory against the Rebels (8-1-1, 2-1).
“We had to come to win after we lost to RV,” A-West senior captain Drew Bender said referring to a tough 3-2 overtime loss to Ralston Valley on Monday at NAAC. “We had to give it all we had out on the field. I’m proud of my team. We pulled it off.”
A-West sophomore Luke Drumright scored the lone goal on the chilly night at NAAC. The forward hammered a shot from close range in the 8th minute of the first half. The shot ricocheted off Columbine junior defender Jacob Reed and into the back of the net.
It was the fourth goal of the season for the sophomore.
“I was just kind of standing near the keeper and the ball landed right where I wanted it,” Drumright said of his game-winning goal. “We knocked it around the box a lot. I was just happy that I was the one to tap it in.”
Columbine’s best scoring chance game in the 23rd minute when senior Nathan Dunning fired a shot on goal, but A-West junior goalkeeper Andy Fendel made the save. The Rebels could only muster up two shots on goal as they were shut out for the first time this season.
Columbine senior Jake Penrose (6) tries to keep his balance as the ball goes out of bounds Wednesday night. The Rebels suffered their first loss of the season with a 1-0 defeat to Arvada West. (Dennis Pleuss)
Columbine was on an eight-game winning streak coming into the league game where it had outscored its opponents 24-3.
“I definitely think it was a defensive game,” said Bender who is a defender for the Wildcats. “It came from the entire team, not just the backline. Everyone defended and worked hard.”
A-West’s leading scorer Kyler Fowkes had a couple of great opportunities to give the Wildcats a two-goal lead in the second half, but had both his shots just missed their target.
However, Drumright’s early goal was all A-West needed to get right back into the race for the 5A Jeffco conference title.
“I think we learned how to finish a game,” A-West coach Troy Gette said. “I think the RV game taught us some lessons.”
Ralston Valley (6-5, 4-0) has a one-game lead over A-West and Columbine midway through the league schedule. The Mustangs edged Dakota Ridge 2-1 Wednesday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. However, Gette feels his team is sitting in a good position.
A-West has won four of its last five games after suffering a five-game losing streak during non-league play. The Wildcats already have victories over Chatfield and Columbine under their belts.
“Chatfield, RV and Columbine still have to all play each other and we are all done with them,” Gette said. “If you ask me, we’re in the driver’s seat.”
A-West returns to action against Pomona on Oct. 7. Columbine has a non-league game at home against Lincoln at 3:30 p.m. Friday.
Arvada West junior Bradley Day (2) races after a loose ball with Columbine senior Nathan Dunning (12) during the first half Wednesday night at the North Area Athletic Complex. (Dennis Pleuss)