Feature Photo By: Toli Geshow – Sophomore Ivan Serrano (defender) goes for the ball during Rangeview’s game against Thornton on September 18th. Serrano is among three other underclassmen playing varsity this season.
The Rangeview Raiders are our EMAC League Champions finishing the season 12-4 overall and 9-1 in the league.
Rangeview has advanced to Round two of the 5A playoffs after defeating Mountain Range 3-2 on October 25th. Juniors Rashid Seidu-Aroza and Braidon Nourse led the charge. The Raiders want to stay in the playoffs as stated by many fans. Seidu-Aroza scored two goals and Nourse scored one in that game.
Seidu-Aroza has been a top player for the 5A division this season, ranking 4th in the state with a total of 27 goals. Senior Alexis Flores once again has been great for Rangeview this season according to many, scoring 17 goals.
Grandview High School also won their recent playoff against Greeley West 3-0 on October 25th. Seniors Raymond Jackson, Noe Ortiz Pena, and Ivan Luna each had a goal leading the Wolves to the blowout win.
Grandview has arguably been one of the best team not only in the 5A division, but in the state as well, as ranking 3rd in the state. The Wolves ended the season with a record of 14-1-1 after finishing the previous year with a record of 16-3 and losing to Denver East in the 5A semifinals.
Varsity Head Coach Victor Strouse said, “The reason they are so good is that all their players are very similar, they all work hard, they all have skills, they all share the wealth in scoring goals so you can’t just concentrate on one or two players that are good because they’re all good and stand out.”
Grandview doesn’t have a notable star on their team, but many say that their collective effort has elevated them to a better team than the players look to be. Senior Cobi Wood had 39 saves this season, ranking him 43rd in the conference, but ranked 11th in the conference in GAA (goals against average) with at 0.683. Jackson ranked 26th in the conference in assists as a defender (8). Senior Jaime Luna ranked 42nd in total goals in the conference (10).
Strouse added, “In the first game against Grandview, we had half the team playing their first varsity soccer game. They’re not the same players that they were in the first game; they have 15 games under their belt now and won’t be intimidated.”
Many say Rangeview is coming into this game as the underdogs.
“I do believe we are the underdogs coming into this game; they [Grandview] are one of the top teams in state,” said Seidu-Aroza, “But to me, what’s on paper — doesn’t mean anything to me. What matters is how much heart we bring into the game that day.”
If you want to come support, the Raiders play today, October 31st, at 6pm. The game will be held at Legacy Stadium. For more information on the game click here and for the 5A playoff bracket click here.
