Sometimes the largest stats in soccer don’t show up on the scoreboard.
That was the case with the Colorado High School Activities Association Class 4A fourth-ranked Durango High School boys soccer team’s 1-0 win against Fruita Monument Saturday on afternoon at Durango High School. The Demons (9-1, 4-0 5A/4A Southwestern League) registered 24 shots and found the back of the net only once, thanks to a Leland Heinicke goal.
The sophomore midfielder scored the game’s only goal in the 47th minute when senior forward Lance Townsend dribbled down the right flank and found Heinicke, who stood at the middle of the penalty spot and scored in the top right corner of the net.
“We had 24 shots total, but we only put one away,” Heinicke said. “But Lance set me up really nicely, and it was just a great go-ahead goal. He did all of the work, I was just there to finish it.”
In the first half, Durango came out firing with nine shots. There were numerous opportunities but the best chance for the Demons came in the 15th minute, when Townsend stole a pass and was one-on-one with Fruita’s goalkeeper Ryan McCloskey, who made a spectacular save to keep it scoreless.
In the 33rd minute, Heinicke almost found the back of the net, but McCloskey made a diving save and pushed Heinicke’s initial shot off of the post and the rebound was cleared away. The teams went into the break scoreless, but DHS head coach Aaron Champenoy knew it was only a matter of time until the Demons got on the score sheet.
“I told them that they needed to be consistent and stay with what we were trying to do,” Champenoy said. “We created the majority of the play, and I think we had nine shots in the first half and we created eight set pieces on their half of the field, so I just told them to be consistent, stay calm, don’t panic and continue to do what we were doing, and eventually, one was going to fall.”
In the second half, the Demons continued to pile on with 15 shots and continued to search for more after Heinicke broke the game open.
In the final 10 minutes of the match, Fruita (3-5-1, 1-2 SWL) pushed everyone forward in search of an equalizer and nearly got it in the 77th minute, when, off of a free kick, Ethan McCallum had a header that was cleared off of the line, and the second opportunity was saved by freshman goalkeeper Levi Larson.
“I think, even with a game like this, when you are kind of dominating play but you’re only up 1-0, you leave yourself in a pretty bad position,” Champenoy said. “Any bad bounce or half-chance can change the game. And, luckily, Levi had a good save. I just thought we had to finish the game out.”
The Demons will make the trip to Aztec (2-6-2) at 6 p.m. Thursday, before they will host rival Montrose (3-5, 1-1 SWL) at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
The Durango High School volleyball team ended their road trip to Grand Junction with a successful sweep over the Tigers Saturday afternoon, winning in straight sets, 25-18, 25-22 and 26-24.
The Demons (2-6, 1-2 5A/4A Southwestern League) were led by Emmy Romero, who had 16 assists and led the offense on the afternoon.
Head coach Colleen Vogt said that the Demons were barging on the door for a win and it was only a matter of time before they got it.
“We knew we’ve been playing well and we had a great week of practice,” Vogt said. “Like I said, it’s nice to get one in the win column, but I’m really proud of how hard this team competes and how hard they work day-in and day-out.”
The Demon setters were able to lead a quick and efficient offense and on defense, the blockers set the tone for the remainder of the match. Millie O’Ketter had 20 digs on the afternoon while Taylor Wolf led the Demons with eight kills and four blocks.
Durango will play La Plata County rivals Bayfield (3-7, 2-2 3A Intermountain Volleyball League) at 6 p.m. Tuesday night at Wolverine Gymnasium in Bayfield.
The Bobcats traveled to the Simla Invitational on Saturday and went home after losses to host Simla, Kit Carson and Soroco.
Ignacio lost 25-6, 26-24 and 25-9 to Simla. Kit Carson beat the Bobcats 25-8, 25-8 and 25-16, and Soroco secured a 15-25, 25-22, 29-27, 12-25 and 15-12 five-set win against in the varsity division’s fifth-place game.
IHS (2-8) will face Pagosa Springs at home at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
