Eagles hope history won't repeat

Runner-up past two years is motivation for Faith Christian

John Rosa, Special to the News

Friday, November 3, 2006

ENGLEWOOD - Even though the state finals are a familiar place for the Faith Christian boys soccer team, it remains a daunting proposition for the Eagles.

Third-seeded Faith Christian advanced to the 3A championship game for the fifth consecutive season Thursday night, knocking off second-seeded Colorado Academy 4-1 at Pirate Stadium on the Englewood High School campus.

Almost immediately after dispatching the Mustangs, the Eagles' thoughts turned to the past two title games. Faith Christian believed it had the more talented squad in each of those years only to see its opponents score goals in the 44th minute to escape with 1-0 victories.

"I think we'll probably be a little scared, knowing we haven't put it all together for 80 minutes (the last two years)," Eagles coach Will Lind said. "It's going to be a challenge and, hopefully, maybe we will get the bounces (Saturday) that we haven't had for the last couple of years."

Faith Christian (14-1-2) didn't need any lucky bounces in beating Colorado Academy (11-3-2) as the Eagles put their first four shots into the back of the net.

"We knew coming out that we wanted to start strong," said Grant Cowles, who scored twice and has four goals in the postseason. "That's always been one of our strongest points, putting the first goal on the board."

Cowles started the scoring in the 18th minute, playing a pass from Mike Mills off his chest before unleashing a right-footed rocket that beat Colorado Academy keeper Bobby Thalman to the short side.

Sterling Copeland pushed the lead to 2-0 less than 1 minute later, finishing after a great pass from Marcus Kirkwood set him up in the center of the Mustangs goal box.

Copeland help set up the next goal when he was taken down by the Mustangs' Johnny Pav in the box. Kirkwood converted on the ensuing penalty kick in the 28th minute.

Copeland and Kirkwood each have 33 goals this season.

"(Copeland) is a very dangerous player, and he showed up to play tonight," Colorado Academy coach Jean-Claude Pritchard said.

Cowles closed out the first half scoring in the 35th minute, sliding in to redirect a shot by Kirkwood for a 4-0 lead.

Faith Christian matched its offensive dominance with a smothering defensive effort. Colorado Academy didn't have a single shot on goal in open play, and it scored its only goal on a penalty kick in the 74th minute.

Eagles keeper Matt Zevenbergen was called for a foul in the box after pushing a player while trying to get to a loose ball and Dylan Levine-Ruxin converted on the free kick to avoid the shutout.

Cowles, who saw playing time as a freshman when the Eagles won the second of back-to-back state titles in 2003, said the disappointment over the way the past two seasons have ended has served as motivation.

"I think everyday since last year's finals I've been dreaming about Saturday," Cowles said. "We're coming out to win. None of this 44th minute junk."

Goals - FC, Grant Cowles (Mike Mills assist), 18th minute; FC, Sterling Copeland (Marcus Kirkwood), 19th minute; FC, Kirkwood (penalty kick), 28th minute; FC, Cowles (Kirkwood), 35th minute; CA, Dylan Levine-Ruxin (penalty kick), 74th minute.

Shots on goal - FC, 4-2 - 6; CA, 0-1 - 1. Saves - FC (Matt Zevenbergen 79 minutes, Sterling Copeland 1 minute) 0-0 - 0. CA (Bobby Thalman 38 minutes, Colin Cardwell 42 minutes, 2 saves) 0-2 - 2. Corner kicks - FC, 4-1 - 5; CA, 0-3 - 3. Cards - FC, Noah Fisher (yellow), 31st minute; CA, Jake Sally (yellow), 50th minute; FC, Jimmy Thompson (yellow), 52nd minute; CA, Roman Vakilitibar (yellow), 67th minute; CA, Sally (yellow, red), 77th minute.