Denver Christian's Wiggins again comes to rescue

Senior's winning goal ousts Aspen in 3A semifinals

Pat Rooney, Special to the News

Friday, November 3, 2006

ENGLEWOOD - The script hardly is original.

A steady but unspectacular player toils throughout the regular season before getting hot during the playoffs to lead his or her team to postseason glory.

Jarrod Wiggins is filling that role for the Denver Christian boys soccer team.

Wiggins scored what proved to be the winning goal against Aspen on Thursday, leading the Crusaders to a 2-1 victory in the Class 3A state semifinals at Englewood High School.

Denver Christian (13-3-2) will aim for its first state title since 1997 when it plays Metro League rival Faith Christian in the Class 3A championship game Saturday night. The teams tied 1-1 on Sept. 27.

"I've just been concentrating so hard on this team and trying to get through the playoffs," Wiggins said. "We're all working hard, and I just get lucky sometimes. The ball is just dropping right to my feet. I've never felt so good in my life."

Wiggins, a senior, scored three goals during the regular season but has emerged as the Crusaders' biggest clutch playoff performer.

Wiggins scored Denver Christian's goal in a 1-0 victory against defending 3A state champion Peak to Peak in the quarterfinals, and his goal Thursday gave the Crusaders a two-goal cushion less than 11 minutes into the game.

"You've got to have your seniors step up and do that, and (Wiggins) has come up big in both games," Denver Christian coach Ed Buteyn said. "It's nice to have those finishes out there. We like to play Faith Christian. If you want to win it, you're going to have to beat the best. And Faith is the class of 3A and has been for years."

Wiggins' goal capped a flurry by the Crusaders, during which they scored both goals in 1:26.

Joe Lammers opened the scoring in the ninth minute on a brilliant shot from deep along the right wing, dropping a long arcing ball over Aspen goalkeeper Andy Conarroe.

Wiggins scored moments later, benefiting from a somewhat lucky bounce. The Crusaders' Graham Ellsworth sent a crossing pass toward the top of the box, where Conarroe and an Aspen defender appeared to collide.

By the time Wiggins collected the loose ball, the Skiers' net was vacant, and Wiggins was worried about embarrassing himself.

"Luckily it came right to me after their keeper missed it," Wiggins said. "It was very surprising. I was scared I was going to shank it high or something."

Aspen (15-3) crawled to 2-1 on a goal by Baker Boyd in the 23rd minute, but the Skiers were held without a shot on goal in the second half.

Goals - DC, Joe Lammers (Keaton DeNooy), 8:42; DC, Jarrod Wiggins (Graham Ellsworth), 10:08; A, Baker Boyd (Jesus Mesa), 22:53.

Shots on goal - DC, 3-2 - 5; A, 3-0 - 3. Saves - DC (Jeff Lanser 2); A (Andy Conarroe 3). Corner kicks - DC, 2-0 - 2; A, 0-1 - 1. Yellow cards - DC, Ellsworth, Wiggins; A, Boyd.