D’Evelyn senior Dominic Miceli (11) tries to get past Conifer sophomore Grant Kirklin (18) during the first half Friday at Lakewood Memorial Field. The Jaguars pulled out a 1-0 victory against the Lobos. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
LAKEWOOD — Goals have been hard to come by for D’Evelyn and Conifer boys soccer teams through the first two weeks into the season.
The Jaguars and Lobos had combined for two goals in five games — all losses — for the two Class 4A Jeffco League teams. While scoring continued to be an issue Friday night at Lakewood Memorial Field for D’Evelyn and Conifer, one team did pick up its first victory of the season.
D’Evelyn junior Ben Simpson scored the lone goal Friday at Lakewood Memorial Field. Simpson’s goal in the 74th minute gave the Jaguars their first victory of the season. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
D’Evelyn junior Ben Simpson was just able to get a shot over Conifer goalie Trace Avery in the 74th minute to give the Jaguars a 1-0 victory.
“We haven’t got off to the best start, so yes,” Simpson answered when asked if it was a must-win against Conifer.
Senior James Musarra picked up the assist on the goal giving a nice feed to Simpson to score the game-winning goal. D’Evelyn had several scoring chances, including a shot that cross the goal-line just a split-second after the horn sounded to signal the end of the first half.
“In a 10-game regular season every game is a must-win. We made it difficult,” D’Evelyn coach Paul Moline said. “Conifer has some dangerous players on its team. They got in a couple of times, but I think in the second half the key was winning the 50-50 balls.”
D’Evelyn (1-2-0, 1-2-0 in league) already has a shutout loss against Evergreen and a 2-1 overtime loss to Golden. The Jaguars actually hurt themselves with a pair of own-goals in the 2-0 loss to Evergreen.
Conifer sophomore Grant Kirklin (18) battles with D’Evelyn sophomore Ryan Leoni (8) during the Class 4A Jeffco League game Friday night. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)
However, D’Evelyn can all put that behind them heading into Spring Break.
“This will keep us positive over break,” Simpson said. “We can move forward after this week. It’s one game at a time. We have to stay healthy and stay confident.”
The Jaguars’ next game isn’t until Tuesday, April 6, back at Lakewood Memorial Field against Littleton. D’Evelyn could still get into the conference mix and a postseason spot if the Jaguars go on a run after Spring Break.
“I think there is a lot of parity in this league. I don’t think there is that one team,” Moline said. “I think anybody can beat anybody at any given moment. I think it is open. You have to be ready to play in every game.”
It will be an extremely busy final two weeks of the season with teams trying to get in all its regular-season game by Saturday, April 17.
“A lot of this is a gut check,” Moline said of the season. “You’ve got to come out and be ready to work. You can’t slack off. You have to outwork teams.”
Conifer (0-3-0, 0-3-0) will look to work its way to its first victory of the season on Monday, April 5, when the Lobos host Arvada on the Lobos’ home field.
Conifer freshman Will Hislop attempt to get his foot on the ball during the Class 4A Jeffco League game Friday night at Lakewood Memorial Field. D’Evelyn scored late to take a 1-0 victory over the Lobos. (Dennis Pleuss/Jeffco Athletics)