(Andre Lyseight/CHSAANow.com)
ARVADA — On a gloomy Thursday night that felt like the beginning of fall, the Faith Christian Eagles kicked off their fall season on the pitch, taking on Vista PEAK Prep. The Eagles won the non-league game 2-1, but needed overtime to do so.
The Bison (0-1-2 overall) came in with what many would consider an advantage of already having played two previous games. The Eagles (1-0) came out as the aggressor controlling the ball for most of the first half and show why they are regarded as a top-10 in the CHSAANow.com preseason poll.
Throughout the game Garret Pott displayed his speed and ball handling as the dominant player on the field. The sophomore forward scored the first goal of the season with 28 minutes left in the first half.
“Greatest feeling in the world, I love scoring the ball, its my favorite thing to do in the world,” he said after the match.
Later in the half Pott had a wide-open chance to score that would have widened the Eagles’ lead, but his shot hit the goal post.
“I was in disbelief,” Pott said. “Just proud of my players and that they came together like a true band of brothers tonight.”
In the second half, Vista Peak was able to make some adjustments and came out more physical and controlled most of the last 40 minutes. Senior forward Josue Albavera missed a header early in the half that was inches away from being a highlight play. Later, he was able to score in the 55th minute, tying the score.
“In the first half we were pretty poor, but completely turned around in second half,” Bison coach Jason Elliott said. “We deserved a goal and we got it.”
Both teams battled for the rest of the second half but neither were able to score a goal. Vista PEAK keeper Alan Islas was put to work throughout the second half blocking multiple shots and avoiding a few close penalty kicks.
In overtime, Faith Christian came out looking to score right away. Pott had another chance to score in the game, but slightly missed the net. A few minutes later mid-fielder Justin Gigiliotti power kicked the ball home for the winning goal.
The season-opening win for Faith Christian was exactly what they were hoping for to start the season. The young team beat Vista PEAK last year on what coach Will Lind called a “lucky bounce.”
“I think we played pretty good for a being young,” Lind said. “They played with a lot of heart and a lot of team work, they gave their best and that’s all I asked of them for tonight.”
The loss is Vista PEAK’s second of the season. This was already its third overtime game this year. They tied against Bear Creak in double-overtime to open the season.
“We’ve given up five goals and three of the goals have been from set pieces, because we switch off at times,” Elliot said. “It’s something we definitely have to figure out more through the rest of these non-league games and moving into league play”