Columbine holds on against Air Academy in wild finish

Brad Byler, Special to the News

Saturday, May 13, 2006

LAKEWOOD - Sometimes a 2-0 lead in soccer is the most dangerous. A two-goal lead can feel safe, leading to a letdown.

That's the position the Columbine girls soccer team was in Friday night at Lakewood Memorial Stadium in the second round of the Class 5A girls soccer state playoffs, but the Rebels held on for a 2-1 victory against Air Academy.

Columbine (12-2-2) scored both its goals within a minute late in the first half. Britney Schwaninger bounced a shot through the Kadets' goal at the 32-minute, 40-second mark to give the Rebels a 1-0 lead.

"Laura (Laufenberg) just sent it in and it bounced once, and I just volleyed it in past the keeper," Schwaninger said.

A minute later, Natasha Swift punished the Kadets again by finishing off Mariah Johnston's crossing pass to put the Rebels ahead 2-0.

"It's just typical soccer," Air Academy coach Nancy Sibley said of Columbine's two quick goals. "Goals are often scored back to back by one team because of the adrenaline rush. We made mistakes and we paid for those mistakes (Friday)."

But it was Columbine that almost paid for mistakes in the second half. Maddy Hays came off the bench to score for Air Academy (11-2-4) in the 47th minute. Hays tapped in a great cross by Hayley Hollenga against a relaxed Columbine defense, and suddenly the game had a more serious feel.

After playing reactive soccer in the first half, Air Academy was the aggressor in the second. The Kadets had six corner kicks after halftime, and as the clock wound down, each one became more dramatic.

In the final two minutes, the Kadets had three corner kicks, but the Rebels found a way to stop the Kadets each time.

Emily Snowdon's shot was cleared by the Rebels defense with 1:21 remaining, Lacey Bartels' header was blocked by Columbine's Johnston, and with only 6 seconds remaining, Shelby Williamson's header sailed over the net to finally end Air Academy's season.

"The amount of corners they had was scaring me, and I was marking the girl (Bartels) who was almost hitting them every time," Swift said. "I had to try to get her out of her game."

"I think we just kind of relaxed, knowing we were up 2-0," Schwa- ninger said.

"We were all nervous and scared and didn't know what to do (at the end). But, thank goodness, we kept them out."

Columbine, the No. 6 seed, will face No. 3 Mountain Vista (14-1- 2) next week. The Rebels lost 2-1 to the Golden Eagles earlier this season.

"We'll need to play harder next game, but I think we match up with (Mountain Vista) well," Swift said. "We know what mistakes we made last time."

In the first game at Lakewood Memorial on Friday, No. 2 Chatfield beat Denver East 5-0 behind two goals each from Aleah DeGeneres and Tori Delmonico. The Chargers (15-1-1) will face No. 7 Mullen (14-2-1) on Wednesday at Lakewood Memorial in the quarterfinals.

Goals - C, Britney Schwaninger (Laura Laufenberg) 32:40, Natasha Swift (Mariah Johnston) 33:40; AA, Maddy Hays (Hayley Hollenga) 46:16. Shots on goal - AA, 2-3 5; C, 6-0 6. Saves - AA (Becca Maloney) 4-0 4; C (Christine Delashmutt) 2-2 4. Corner kicks - AA, 2-6 8; C, 5-1 6.