LAKEWOOD — An 11-day break between games didn’t slowdown Arvada West’s momentum when it comes to winning the Class 5A Jeffco League boys soccer title.
The Wildcats defeated Dakota Ridge 6-1 on Monday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. The win kept A-West (10-3 record, 6-1 in league) in the driver’s seat to claim the conference championship for the first time since 2015.
A-West junior Judah Johnston (17) drive toward the net on Dakota Ridge junior Troy Ascencio during Johnston’s 5-goal night Monday at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
“I can’t tell you how many times my junior classmates have told me, ‘We are winning league this year. We are winning league,’” A-West junior Judah Johnston said. “If we win on Wednesday it will be a great feeling for sure.”
Two-time defending league champion Ralston Valley (8-4-2, 6-1) could finish tied with the Wildcats if both win their league finales Wednesday, but A-West would have the tiebreak because of the head-to-head 2-0 victory over Ralston Valley on Oct. 4.
A-West faces Valor Christian (9-4-1, 3-3-1) at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the North Area Athletic Complex with the conference championship on the line.
“There is a lot on the match Wednesday,” A-West assistant coach John Drumright said. “We’ll be ready and I’m sure (Valor) will be ready. We are really motivated to win the conference.”
Before looking ahead to Valor the Wildcats had to take care of business on a chilly night at Lakewood Memorial Field. Johnston took a long feed and maneuvered around a pair of Dakota Ridge defenders to give the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead.
A-West senior Judah Johnston (17) is greeted by teammates Gabe Wills (8) and Evan Keasling (16) after Johnston’s first goal Monday. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
The Wildcats had a number of more scoring chances in the first half, but Dakota Ridge junior goalie Aaron Hoang made some great saves to keep it a 1-goal game going into halftime.
“It’s been a long break so shaking off the rust, especially with finishing, was a little hard for us tonight,” Drumright said. “Once we finally finished the way we are capable of we broke loose.”
Johnston really turned it on. The junior attacker scored in the 54th, 59th, 76th and 78th minutes to finish with five goals on the night. Johnston said he might have had a 5-goal game during his youth days playing on 12U or 13U clubs.
“Something clicked second half and we played well,” Johnston said. “I think we opened up the field a lot more to give use some more one-on-one chances.”
A-West junior Zack Marcolina (11) uses his head Monday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
Drumright was trying to substitute Johnston out of the game before he put in his final goal in the closing minutes.
“He (Johnston) is a world class finisher,” Drumright said. “When he is working hard off the ball good things happen for him just like everyone else.”
Dakota Ridge got on the board in the 61st minute with a nice shot from sophomore Linus Pfaller that beat A-West senior goalie Latham Kleckner. It ended a 3-game shutout streak for Kleckner. The Wildcats’ goalie, who had seven shutout victories on the season, marveled at the performance by Johnston.
“That was ridiculous,” Kleckner said of Johnston’s 5-goal night. “I’ve never seen five goals from one player. That was awesome.”
A-West sophomore Kyler Tate put in a goal in the final minutes to cap off the win and allow the Wildcats to zero in on the showdown with Valor.
“It’s a big night. Senior Night as well,” Kleckner said of Wednesday’s game at NAAC. “It’s definitely going to be a great game. Going to be a fun one as well.”
A-West senior goalie Latham Kleckner makes a leaping save in the first half Monday during the Wildcats’ 6-1 victory at Lakewood Memorial Field. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)