One year after reaching the semifinals of the state tournament, the Durango High School boys soccer team is back in the playoffs eager to make another run with six seniors leading a talented squad.
Durango (10-2-2) is the ninth seed in the Colorado High School Activities Association 4A Boys Soccer Championships. No. 24 Mitchell High School (8-6-1) of Colorado Springs will visit the Demons at 7 p.m. Wednesday at DHS.
Durango has scored 45 goals this season and has allowed only 10. The Marauders have scored 30 while they have and allowed 20.
Mitchell has made the playoffs every year since 2012 under head coach Brett Humphrey but has lost in the first round all five years.
Durango has won four consecutive 5A/4A Southwestern League championships but was still seeded lower than Montrose, the No. 4 seed that finished third Durango’s league this season.
That should fuel a Demons team led by seniors such as Elijah Fenton and Max Wilson, who have combined for 25 goals and nine assists this season.
DHS senior goalkeeper Trey Furnas is 7-1 this season with four shutouts.
Mitchell’s scoring is well-rounded between juniors Alex Cruz and Eduardo Trujillo and sophomore Oscar Gallardo. Trujillo leads the bunch with seven goals and seven assists.
Mitchell has played three boys in goal this year. Felix Justo has played the most games and has a 7-4 record with seven shutouts. George Sanchez is 1-2-1 in goal with one shutout.
Justo has been under pressure in goal and has made 112 saves, while Sanchez has made 36.
Durango should be able to get plenty of shots Wednesday night. They key will be finishing.
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
