Cherry Creek’s Jack Savage celebrates after the game. (Ryan Casey/CHSAANow.com)
DENVER — Jack Savage scored once, twice, and that was it. Cherry Creek found itself back in the Class 5A boys lacrosse championship game for the third year in a row.
Well — the 10-9 win over Kent Denver wasn’t quite that easy.
Savage and the top-seeded Bruins trailed No. 4 Kent Denver 9-8 with five minutes to play in their semifinal game on Wednesday. Kent Denver was down nearly the entire game, but rallied in the final quarter and seemingly had all the momentum. At the very least, the two teams seemed destined for overtime — a point they reached during their meeting to close the regular season, when Creek won 10-9.
Instead, Savage changed the game Wednesday at All-City Stadium. His long-range shot from the left side of the cage tied things at 9 with 3:59 remaining. Broderick Vitalie then drew a penalty, and, up a man 53 seconds after his first goal, Savage gave the Bruins a 10-9 lead. When that lead held, Cherry Creek had its return ticket to the state title game.
“After I scored that first one, and then (Vitalie) got the call, I knew it was time to rally, get the boys together and win the game,” Savage said.
Said Cherry Creek coach Bryan Perry: “Jack’s been fantastic for us all year. … We moved him around a little bit, found a home for him at middie and he just rose to the top of that heap very quickly and just does an outstanding job.”
Arapahoe had one final chance with possession at the end, but the Bruins’ Nicholas Carpenter forced a turnover and Creek pushed the ball into its offensive end as it killed the final moments.
Savage finished with three goals. Michael McCauley also scored three times for Cherry Creek, and had two assists, while Ryan Arthur had a goal and two assists.
Vitalie was dominant in the faceoff circle, winning 16 of 21.
“We kind of knew that was going to be key, and Broderick has been fantastic for us all year,” Perry said. “He came through for us today for sure.”
Kent Denver was led by Zander Ellis’ four goals and an assist, and Jaden Franklin scored twice and assisted on another.
For the longtime rivals, it was just the latest chapter in their history. Yes, there was the OT game just 12 days ago, but Wednesday was also the eighth time the two programs had met in the semifinals in the sport’s 16 seasons. Cherry Creek had won four of those games.
“It’s a very good rivalry,” Perry said. “We have a lot of respect for each other. I know I have a lot of respect for them, and their kids and what they do.
“It’s been a rivalry for years that’s as healthy of a high school rivalry that there is. There’s just a great respect, very little trash-talking or any nonsense. It’s a clean game. What was there, two penalties (Wednesday)? It’s always clean and well-played. It’s fun to be a part of. I’m honored to be a part of that.”
Now, Perry’s Bruins will return to Mile High for the 5A title game, which is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday. The past two years have ended in a loss to Arapahoe in that game. They will face Regis Jesuit — which beat Arapahoe in the semifinals — this season.
“I want our guys to come out and play hard and play a good game,” Perry said. “I’m not sure we’ve played a complete game in that game yet.”