More photos. (Matt Minton)
AURORA — The Cherry Creek boys lacrosse team is hoping the fourth time is a charm.
The Bruins, who have lost in the championship game of the previous three Class 5A state finals, will try to break that streak Friday after winning Wednesday’s semifinal 13-5 over Kent Denver.
It was Cherry Creek’s second win over the Sun Devils this season, and is a game featuring teams familiar with each other over the years.
The Sun Devils held tight until three straight goals in the first half of the second period gave the Bruins a 5-2 lead.
Cherry Creek opened up a wide advantage with a four-goal onslaught in the opening four minutes of the third period.
At one point, Cherry Creek’s lead was 10 goals before a pair of Joe Rassenfoss scores for Kent Denver provided the final margin.
Henry Adams and Asher Nolting each score three goals for the winning team.
Adams said the team wasn’t concerned when the Sun Devil took an early lead.
“Our strategy is always to play our hardest and it will come,” said Adams.
“I think (it was a matter of) taking a little more time on our shots,” Bruins coach Bryan Perry said of his team kicking it in gear in the second period.
As for a return trip to the state finals, “There’s a different feel this year,” Adams said of his team’s hopes of winning the school’s fifth state title.
“This group is very singularly focused,” Perry said of what he hopes will prove the difference on Friday.
The state championship game is at 7:30 Friday night at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.