(Andre Lyseight/CHSAANow.com)
LITTLETON — The opening round of the Class 4A soccer playoffs played out exactly like a playoff matchup between two good teams should, physical and low scoring.
Littleton senior forward Hamadi Ali Abid lead the way by scoring the first and only goal of the game in the first half to help the No. 7 Lions come away with a win 1-0 over No. 26 Harrison.
“I think we played great,” Abid said. “The first ten minutes we kind of needed to sort them out and see how their game style is and figure out how to combat that. But second half we absolutely killed it. I was very happy with the boys. The goal was a teamwork play and it was amazing. It’s been amazing playing with these boys”
The first half was slow for both teams as neither was able to take advantage of any opportunities in a matchup that became more physical as time expired. Littleton controlled the ball for much of the half and Abid had few early opportunities that indicated he would eventually score.
The Lions were able to get handful of shot attempts keeping Harrison goalie Mario Chamorro busy. Panthers midfielder Bryan Zamora displayed great ball control looking like he was the verge of scoring but was not able to get the ball in the net.
Abid scored on quick crossover move that setup a nice kick to the left of the net giving his team a 1-0 lead and the momentum just before halftime. Abid gave props to his teammate senior midfield Joe Director for the assist setting up the goal.
“Joe got the ball to me, he’s been doing that all season,” Abid said. “He is an amazing player I love that kid.”
In the second half Littleton controlled the ball in Harrison’s territory for majority of the time. Harrison showed resilience with great defense. Chamorro prevented Littleton from scoring numerous goals throughout the game.
Harrison was able to get clean shots at the Lions goal late in the game and got another late opportunity to score when Littleton goalie Theo Jensen mishandled the ball giving junior Francisco Silva a chance to attack that was prevent by Lions defense. Littleton couldn’t score again but it was capable of preventing Harrison from getting any goals to win the game.
“I think we played well,” said Littleton coach Pedja Vajzovic. “We moved the ball very well and we looked dangerous. We tried to be more patient but when we don’t score a goal the first 15 to 20 minutes then we start panicking pushing for that goal. Then we got one in the first half. I thought it was going to be easier second half. I thought we dominated and created the chances”
Harrison coach Chris Mason says his team played well and battled throughout the game just couldn’t turn their chances into points.
“This was a great season for us. We made tremendous jumps in the standings as well as just skill and playing as team. It really came down to getting the right people in the right places and getting our boys in the right set to play good team soccer”
The Lions will look to redeem themselves from last years loss in the quarterfinals against defending champion Air Academy next Tuesday in the second round of the playoffs. Air Academy beat Skyview in the first round.