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Patriots Upset Angels

GW Scores Winning Goal 10 Minutes From Time

Story and photos by Reid Neureiter

For the GPHN

East Senior forward Zach Arend (No. 12) leaps high to head the ball toward goal in East’s 1-0 loss to GW.

The East – George Washington High School athletic rivalry shifted from the basketball hard courts to the soccer fields in April as the Denver Public Schools League continued the third of its four COVID-19-affected sports seasons.

East came into the April 8 match, which took place on the GW Patriots’ home field, the heavy favorites, undefeated and ranked seventh in Colorado’s 5A division.

Recent history boded ill for the Patriots’ chances, with East having beaten GW each of the last six years by a combined score of 21-3. The start to the game favored the Angels as well, with East dominating possession and looking dangerous through the middle of the field.

GW’s excellent goalkeeper had to make a diving save to deny East the lead 15 minutes in. But halftime came and went without a goal, and GW became more confident as the minutes passed, making a number of threatening counterattacks.

GW Sophomore Nicholas Chadd (No. 15) battles Denver East Sophomore Tayler Secrest (No. 11) for the ball as they both fall to the turf.

Ten minutes from time the Patriots had their chance for a breakthrough, awarded a free kick on the left side of the penalty area, 20 yards from goal. East set their wall expertly, blocking off half the goal-mouth. But GW Senior Caelen Hilty was undeterred, driving the ball hard directly at the middle of East’s wall. The power of Hilty’s shot caused the wall to flinch, allowing the ball to skid through and past East’s helpless keeper for the winning goal.

George Washington Senior Caelen Hilty drives a free kick through the Denver East wall to score the only goal of the game on April 8.

As of mid-April, GW’s record stood at 5-4. East, for its part, lost to North High in their match after GW, also by the score of 1-0, to fall to a record of 6 wins and 2 losses.

Of the DPS boys soccer teams, North High School, appears to have the best chance of advancing deep into the Colorado state playoffs, sporting an 8-1 record as of mid-April and leading the DPS league and No. 10 RPI ranking in 4A.

According to the Colorado High School Activity Association, state soccer playoff games are to begin April 23, with state championship matches for all classes scheduled for May 1.

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