Wheat Ridge senior Cori Wing (16) give a hug to Macie Browne after her 1st-half goal Wednesday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LAKEWOOD — Rain was about as consistent as Wheat Ridge’s defense on the soccer pitch Wednesday night at Lakewood Memorial Field.
Through a steady rain, No. 2-seeded Wheat Ridge and its sophomore goalie Logan DuFord bagged the Farmers’ ninth shutout victory of the girls soccer season. Not bad timing being it was a Class 4A girls soccer first-round playoff game against No. 31 Thompson Valley.
“Thompson Valley is a good team. They are good in transition,” Wheat Ridge coach Dan Watkins said after the Farmers’ 3-0 victory. “We had to stay organized. We got one (goal) early and that let us dictated the play a little. They (Thompson Valley) gave us all we could handle.”
Wheat Ridge junior Macie Browne hammered home the lone goal of the first half in the 7th minute. The Eagles (8-8 record) failed to clear a corner kick out of their own goal box and Browne eventually got a foot on the ball to put it past Thompson Valley goalie Alyssa Chase.
Wheat Ridge’s Alex Nillen tries to turn a get off a shot against Thompson Valley. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“It was a just a mess in the box,” Browne said of the goal. “I just kept working to get it in. I was lucky to get a good touch on it.”
Wheat Ridge juniors Emily Abo (42nd minute) and Kyra Midroy (74th minute) added goals in the second half to give the Farmers (14-2) some breathing room in the tough conditions.
It was the first goal of the year for Abo, who has filled in at several positions this season.
“What I like about Emily is she is a grinder and a go-getter. She will do whatever we ask her to do,” Watkins said. “I’m so excited for her to get rewarded, what a fantastic finish.”
Abo’s goal sailed into the top right corner to put the Farmers up 2-0.
One downer for the Farmers was losing their leading goal scorer in the first half. Senior Alex Nillen exited the game in the first half and didn’t return.
Wheat Ridge’s Melissa Browne (4) and Thompson Valley’s Anna Mihaly battle for a loose ball. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“She (Nillen) came off and is banged up,” Watkins said. “We’ll have to evaluate her tomorrow to see if she is ready for Saturday.”
Wheat Ridge will face No. 15 Niwot in the second round of the state tournament Saturday, May 13, at Lakewood Memorial Field. The Cougars defeated Erie 4-3 in double-overtime Wednesday night.
“It’s a team we don’t know a lot about,” Watkins admitted. “They have obviously had a very good season and some very good results. When you get into the tournament you have to play very well to advance. Hopefully we’ll be ready to go Saturday.”
It the Farmers get past Niwot on Saturday they will get a face a very familiar foe in the state quarterfinals Wednesday, May 17.
No. 23 Standley Lake and No. 7 Evergreen advanced with wins Wednesday night and face each other Saturday, May 13, likely at Lakewood Memorial Field. The winner of Standley Lake/Evergreen would square off against the winner of Niwot/Wheat Ridge.
Wheat Ridge’s girls soccer playoff road continues Saturday, May 13, against No. 15 Niwot at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)