Feature Photo By: Izzy Honey- Junior Luis Cervantes makes a defender fall after a succession of moves. Last year in the playoffs, the Raiders lost in the first round.
The fall sports season has come to a close and while the regular season for boys soccer has ended, the varsity team is still fired up to play in their playoff game against Greeley West today, October 27th.
The team had a very successful season, they finished 12-2-1 overall and came in first in the 5A EMAC league. Coach Vic Strouse believes that a lot of their success comes from confidence, “They’re a pretty confident group.”
The team, made up of mostly returning players with lots of experience, are very confident together. The team lost the very first game of the season, then stepped up their game with a winning streak.
Coach Strouse said, “Our first goal was to win the league championship, and we met that goal. The next goal is to win the first playoff game. Today’s game will be a big deal.”
For the past few years, the Rangeview team has not been able to make it past the first round of the playoffs. Knowing this, the players are eager to distinguish themselves from past teams.
Senior Jalen Sanchez said, “First game was a wake up call from the jump! First game, first “L”, we didn’t like the taste of that so we made sure to go on a winning streak. We came out stronger than ever from there on out. There is always room for improvement, always but I believe in this team so much. It’s not even a team, it’s a big family.”
Greeley West, 5-7 in 5A, comes to the APS Stadium today, at 6 pm. The boys intend to give their all, and they hope it will be enough to win and move forward towards the CHSAA State Championship. For some players, this could be the last game of their high school career.
“(This game) is so important for the team and especially for me, because I’m doing it for Strouse. He’s helped me through so much and to bring him home a final four plate and a State trophy would make my high school career,” said Sanchez.
Click the link below to access the Rangeview boys soccer team’s stats:
http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/rangeview-raiders-(aurora,co)/soccer/home.htm
