Lydia Larson’s fifth goal of the season proved the biggest of her young career.
The Bayfield High School girls soccer freshman gave the No. 14 Wolverines a 1-0 win over No. 19 Manitou Springs in the CHSAA Class 3A playoffs Friday in Broomfield.
The Wolverines won a corner with 20 minutes remaining in regulation that junior Maddy Duran took.
Manitou Springs cleared it, but the ball settled to Larson.
“I took a touch and shot it because the goalie was at the far post,” said Larson, daughter of Jay and Lonna Larson. “(My teammates) definitely mobbed me. Everybody was really excited and proud.”
BHS (12-3) and Manitou Springs (9-7) played their first-round matchup at No. 3 Jefferson Academy in a downpour.
“Wet, all around wet. It rained the whole time, it was foggy, the ball was flying around all over the place,” BHS head coach Jen Zelinski said. “We’ve been playing in these conditions all season, so it may have been in our favor.”
Friday’s win was only Bayfield’s second in its postseason history and first since 2012, both under Zelinski.
The Wolverines now will turn their attention to the Jaguars, who received a first-round bye, at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Jefferson Academy (13-2) features a stable of dangerous goal scorers.
Senior Alycia Wright ranks fifth in Class 3A with 28 goals, while Heide Wendt has scored 19 and Marissa Chapman 12.
“We definitely know they’re good. They play year-round,” Zelinski said. “I know that we’re tough, and we’re going to go out there and play like we know how to play. We have a good chance.”
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
