The Durango High School boys soccer program is trying to establish a postseason tradition, and the next step is to win multiple state tournament games.
If the No. 12 Demons want to take that next step in 2015, it will begin with a match against No. 21 Denver West at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Riverview Sports Complex in Durango, as Durango hosts a first-round game of the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 4A Boys Soccer Championships.
“The ultimate goal is to get deeper than last year and be better,” DHS head coach Dalon Parker said Sunday after learning his team received the No. 12 seed in the bracket. “Last year we made a second-round appearance. This year, to be better, we need to get into a third or fourth round.”
Parker was happy with his team’s seed and ability to host a first-round game. He said he would’ve been happy to receive anything better than No. 16.
‘We deserve this one and we can go out and prove it as far as playing a first-round game and trying to move on round by round after that,” Parker said. “But the first thing is to win the day and take care of the rest later.”
Though the Denver West Cowboys (10-4-1) finished seventh in their league, they faced tough competition in a 5A/4A league just like the Demons. All four of Denver West’s losses came in league, and it boasts a 5-1-1 road record.
The Cowboys averaged more than 3.5 goals per game and allowed an average of only one against.
Durango scores at an even higher average of more than four goals per game while allowing a little over one.
The Demons’ offense has been well-rounded all season. Sophomore Elijah Fenton led the team in goals for a second consecutive year with 12, and his 13 assists gave him a team-high 37 points in the regular season.
Luke and Mason Stetler also have been strong on the attacking end, with Luke scoring 11 goals and recording four assists and Mason chipping in seven goals and two assists.
Another sophomore, Saylor Longfellow, scored 11 goals and had four assists for 26 points. Junior Connor Henry added two goals in the season finale to give him six goals and four assists. In all, 14 Demons have scored a goal this season.
Defensively, senior Vance Bulen has helped control the tempo as the center back, routinely winning balls in the air and helping keep the pressure off goalkeeper Trey Furnas, who went 9-2-1 in goal this season.
A year ago, the Demons earned the No. 9 seed and defeated No. 24 Vista Ridge 2-0 at home before losing to no. 8 Littleton 1-0 in the second round.
The goal all year for Durango’s seven seniors has been to get past the second round, and Parker likes his teams chances of winning Wednesday and getting another shot.
“This team is like a family,” he said after Friday’s home win against Fruita Monument. “It’s a lot of fun to be around these guys. They’ve really come together.”
jlivingston@durangoherald.com
No. 21 Denver West at No. 12 Durango
Denver West
Mascot: Cowboys
Head Coach: Matias Sanchez
League: 5A/4A Denver Prep, 7th place
Record: 10-4-1, 5-1-1 away
Roster: 1. Diego Barrientos (senior, GK), 2. Carlos Bahena (junior, MF), 3. Raul Luna (junior D), 4. Rogelio Fernandez (sophomore, HB), 5. Brayan Cerecer (junior, MF), 6. Jose Vences (freshman, D), 7. Miguel Perez (junior, MF), 8. Denigo Luna (junior, D), 9. Erik Barajas 9freshman, MF), 14. Noe Flores (freshman, D), 15. Steve Casillas (freshman, MF), 17. Lose lara (senior, MF), 18. Fernando Guardado, (senior, D); 2. Yulises Espino (junior, D), 20. Javier Madrigal (freshman, MF), 21. Cristian Catalan (junior, MF), 22. Jovany Casas (junior, MF), 23. Jeffrey Carrillo (sophomore, MF), 24. Eloy Michel (junior, MF), 25. Ricardo Aguilera (sophomore, D).
Durango
Mascot: Demons
Heach Coach: Dalon Parker
League: 5A/4A Southwestern League, 1st place
Record: 11-3-1, 7-0 home
Roster: 0. Bryce Dieatrich (sophomore), 1. Trey Furnas (sophomore), 2. Max Wilson (sophomore), 3. Eli Crispen (junior), 4. Corbin Lyman (junior), 4. Aidan Aggeler (senior), 6. Jared Webster (senior), 7. Vance Bulen (senior), 8. Connor Henry (junior), 9. Sam Dekay (junior), 10. Luke Stetler (junior), 11. Mason Stetler (senior), 12. Charlie McClung (senior), 13. Camden Garland (junior), 14. Austin Kelly (junior), 15. Austin Urban (senior). 16. Leifdon Pratchett (junior), 17. Elijah Fenton (sophomore), 18. Blake McClain (junior), 19. Mads Bundgaard (senior), 21. Saylor Longfellow (sophomore), 23. Eric Farrar (junior), 24. Jack Beattie (freshman).
Durango Herald
