Leland Heinicke of Durango High School kept his head in the game Thursday, scoring the team’s only goal in a 1-0 win against Fountain Valley. He is the only freshman on the Demons’ varsity roster this season and had three goals to his name.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file
Leifdon Pratchaett and the Durango boys soccer defenders have been a force to be reckoned with all season
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Elijah Fenton’s ability to get to the ball paid off again Thursday, as he assisted the Demons’ only goal of the match. He leads the team in points this year.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Durango High School goalkeeper Trey Furnas helped the Demons earn their 11th shutout of the season through 14 games.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Austin Kelly of Durango High School let Noah Smith of Fountain Valley know what it’s like to run into a bigger player Thursday at DHS.
Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Leland Heinicke of Durango High School is congratulated after scoring a first half goal by teammate Luke Stetler while playing Fountain Valley High School at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Leifdon Pratchaett of Durango High School controls the ball while playing Fountain Valley High School at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Eli Fenton of Durango High School battles Ben Low of Fountain Valley High School for the ball at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Max Wilson of Durango High School battles Fountain Valley High School for the ball at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Austin Kelly of Durango High School lets Noah Smith of Fountain Valley High School what it’s like to run into a bigger player at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Leland Heinicke of Durango High School goes up for a header while playing Fountain Valley High School at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Leland Heinicke of Durango High School battles Davis Badger of Fountain Valley High School at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Garret Krispin of Durango High School reacts after missing a goal while playing Fountain Valley High School at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Eli Fenton of Durango High School has Brian Jung of Fountain Valley High School fall on him at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Rodrigo Morales of Durango High School battles while playing Fountain Valley High School at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Trey Furnas of Durango High School make sure the ball clears the net while playing Fountain Valley High School at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Eli Fenton of Durango High School battles for control of the ball while playing Fountain Valley High School for the ball at DHS on Thursday. Photo by Jerry McBride/Durango Herald
Playing on turf at home is going to take a bit to get used to for the Durango Demons.
For the first time, the Durango High School boys soccer team played a match on the new turf field behind the high school. The ball moves faster, doesn’t bounce on awkward patches of grass and rolls true on each touch. After playing on the lumpy grass at the Riverview Sports Complex for years, it took the Demons awhile to get used to game speed Thursday night against Fountain Valley of Colorado Springs.
Still, the Demons found a first-half goal and controlled possession en route to a 1-0 victory, the team’s 11th win in a row.
“The vibe at home is nice, but the turf did not treat us very kindly,” DHS head coach Dalon Parker said. “The turf is nice, but the way the ball bounces, how fast it moves and how consistently, it really makes a difference for our boys.”
Parker said he felt the margin of victory would have been larger Thursday if the match was played at Riverview, but he knows it is crucial for the team to get used to turf before the postseason begins next week. Still, Parker said the team will keep its options open when it comes to which field is used when the Demons host a playoff match.
“We didn’t get used to it until there was about 20 minutes left to play,” he said. “Then I saw us play the style we want to play. We need to do that consistently before the playoffs. We have a group of kids who are quick learners, and we’re excited to get some games before the playoffs.”
DHS (13-1, 6-1 4A/5A Southwestern League) scored in the first half when junior Elijah Fenton found freshman Leland Heinicke for a goal. It was the third goal of the season for Heinicke, the only freshman on the DHS varsity roster.
The defense of Durango was outstanding once again and recorded its fifth consecutive shutout and 11th of the year. In front of goalkeeper Trey Furnas, starting defenders Camden Farland, Corbin Lyman, Black McClain and Leifdon Pratchett were lights out in negating the attack of Fountain Valley (8-6-1).
“Our back line has been nothing but amazing,” Parker said. “They’ve been reliable and continue to be part of the lifeline of our team. As a coach, for me it starts with defense and works its way to offense. Even the defenders off the bench have been great.”
The league-champion Demons will wrap up their regular season back on the turf field at 5 p.m. Friday against Grand Junction Cental (1-13, 0-7 SWL). The Demons own a 7-0 road win at Central earlier this year. It will be senior day for the Demons with big class of 11 players to be recognized.
