ARVADA — Ralston Valley boys lacrosse team responded in a big way Wednesday after suffering its first league loss to the season.
The Mustangs dominated Jeffco rival Chatfield to the tune of 16-3 late Wednesday afternoon at the North Area Athletic Complex.
Chatfield junior Will Adams (7) looks for some room as Ralston Valley junior Ethan Field applies pressure during the first quarter Wednesday at the NAAC. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“We were coming off a tough loss on Monday,” Ralston Valley junior Lane Kellogg said of the Mustangs’ 8-6 defeat against Monarch in a Class 5A League #2 game. “I really think we wanted this game. We were communicating, flying around and sharing the ball really well. It was amazing to see.”
The Mustangs held a 5-2 halftime lead against Monarch, but the Coyotes outscored the Mustangs 6-1 in the second half. It was a completely different ending Wednesday against Chatfield for Ralston Valley.
Kellogg had a monster game offensively scoring six goals. Ralston Valley closed out the game with a 10-0 run and didn’t allow Chatfield (1-5, 0-5 in league) to score in the second half.
“Our focus was really just keep sharing the ball. We weren’t really thinking about the score,” ‘Kellogg said of the Mustangs’ 10-0 run to end out the game. “We really just brought it for all four quarters.”
Sam Lindsey (3 goals), Nicholas Gates (2 goals) and Payton Hevers (27) all the multiple-goal games for the Mustangs (4-3, 4-1).
Ralston Valley defense was stellar in the second half in front of senior goalie Calvin Doucette. Junior Noah Perea finished the game in net for the Mustangs in the largest margin of victory for Ralston Valley on the season.
Ralston Valley junior Zach Friedman (7) advances the ball up the field as Chatfield sophomore Vaughn Cwik (2) closes in. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“Today was a good win, but we also played a full four quarters,” Ralston Valley coach Nick Lewis said. “ That has been one of our issues so far. We’ve played some of the top teams in the state and haven’t had a four-quarter game until today.”
The Mustangs’ three losses this season have come against No. 6 Denver East, No. 11 Monarch and Cherokee Trail.
Ralston Valley could still grab an automatic bid to the 12-team 5A state tournament by winning the 5A League #2 title. Fairview (4-1, 4-0) has the inside track for the conference title, but the Mustangs have a date against Fairview on June 9 at NAAC that could determine Ralston Valley’s playoff future.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs. Our goal is to win a league championship every year,” Lewis said. “We’ve got three more league games. We are going to come out ready to win for every single one.”
Ralston Valley has actually never had a winning season since the program began five years ago.
“I see the potential,” Kellogg said. “We are believing. We’ve got some really big games coming up to get into the playoffs.”
Ralston Valley junior Colton McPherson (23) races down the field after winning a face-off against Chatfield senior David Wiley. The Mustangs scored the final 10 goals in a 16-3 victory over the Chargers. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)