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Lily Boydstun (9) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles wraps her arms around Laney Erickson (10) after Erickson scored a 1-0 goal against the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Laney Erickson (10) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles celebrates her 1-0 goal off a corner kick against the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Lily Boydstun (9) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles wraps her arms around Laney Erickson (10) after Erickson scored a 1-0 goal against the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Lily Boydstun (9) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles wraps her arms around Laney Erickson (10) after Erickson scored a 1-0 goal against the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Mountain Vista Golden Eagles players pile in celebration after the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win over the Rock Canyon Jaguars at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Emersyn Linders (8) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles celebrates at the bottom of the pile after the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win over the Rock Canyon Jaguars at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Laney Erickson (10) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles, who scored the lone goal of the evening, holds her head in celebration after the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win over the Rock Canyon Jaguars at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Avery Beer (13) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles cries tears of joy after the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win over the Rock Canyon Jaguars at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Riley McDonald (6) hugs Grace Joella (3) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles as they celebrate with teammates after the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win over the Rock Canyon Jaguars at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Laney Erickson (10) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles jumps as the seconds tick off the clock, while Casey Loughran (0) braces during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win over the Rock Canyon Jaguars at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Hadley Linder (7) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles attacks as Riley McDonald (6) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles defends during the first of half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Laney Erickson (10), Hannah Carlson (19), Brooke Moody (21) and Keira Woody (20) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles warm up during the first of half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match against the Rock Canyon Jaguars at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Mountain Vista Golden Eagle players hype up during the first of half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match against the Rock Canyon Jaguars at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Emersyn Linders (8) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles stretches to gain possession as Paisley Barela (13) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars defends during the first of half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Hadley Linder (7) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles and Clara Geuzaine (10) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars battle for the ball during the first of half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Macy Williams (21) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars kicks the ball as Laney Erickson (10) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles defends during the first of half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Paisley Barela (13) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars Hannah Carlson (19) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles vie for control of the ball during the first of half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
The Mountain Vista Golden Eagles and the Rock Canyon Jaguars take the pitch before the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Hadley Linder (7) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles sticks the ball with aplomb against the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Laney Erickson (10) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles holds her head after an offsides call negated a goal against the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Riley McDonald (6) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles heads the ball over Gabby Beaudry (19) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Charlotte Strabel (6) and Clara Geuzaine (10) check on Gabby Beaudry (19) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars after she went down against the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Jordan Hopkins (11) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles and Macayla Hansen (8) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars race for the ball during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Hannah Carlson (19) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles kicks the ball away from Paisley Barela (13) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Casey Loughran (0) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles makes a save against the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Carley Butler (9), Macy Williams (21) and Brenna Schoenfelder (1) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars await a continuation of action alongside Laney Erickson (10) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Lexi Cundiff (4) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles passes as Paisley Barela (13) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars defends during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Lexi Cundiff (4) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles dribbles against the Rock Canyon Jaguars during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Macy Williams (21) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars heads the ball over Laney Erickson (10) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Brenna Schoenfelder (1) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars handles the ball during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match against the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Hadley Linder (7) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles and Clara Geuzaine (10) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars fight for the ball during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Emersyn Linders (8) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles handles the ball as Grace Rossner (7), Allie Emery (18) and Clara Geuzaine (10) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars defend during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Allie Emery (18) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars reacts as the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles celebrate a 1-0 goal by Laney Erickson (10) during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Charlotte Strabel (6) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars and Jordan Hopkins (11) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles battle for position during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Hadley Linder (7) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles and Clara Geuzaine (10) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars battle for the ball during the first half of the class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Charlotte Strabel (6) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars heads the ball as Jordan Hopkins (11) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles defends during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Brenna Schoenfelder (1) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars reacts to giving up the lone goal of the evening to Laney Erickson (10) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Clara Geuzaine (10) of the Rock Canyon Jaguars kicks the ball as Emersyn Linders (8) of the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles defends during the second half of the Golden Eagles’ class 5A Colorado state high school soccer championship match win at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
COMMERCE CITY — Lily Boydstun shook off her pain and helped deliver a Class 5A state soccer championship to the Mountain Vista Golden Eagles on Wednesday night at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
The senior midfielder left the game with 18:19 remaining due to leg cramps so severe she couldn’t stand. But after getting treatment on the bench, the Arkansas commit re-entered the game to deliver a perfect corner kick to junior Laney Erickson, who side-kicked in the only goal in Mountain Vista’s 1-0 victory over Rock Canyon.
The Golden Eagles (18-0-1) captured their fifth title, their first since 2017.
“We knew we had to put everything on the line for that goal, and we did,” Erickson said. “I knew after we scored that goal that we had the game in the bag. We just had to finish the last 13 minutes. We know we are strong on corner kicks, and Lily puts in a great ball every time.”
Boydstun said she’s had practice coming back from leg cramps.
“They were so bad, and it just took me down,” she said. “But I get them so often. I just have to go out, stretch, and get fluids, and come back in. … I guess I need to hydrate better.”
It was expected to be a close game. After all, the two Continental League rivals played to a scoreless draw on April 29.
“We knew it was going to be a tremendous match, and it was,” coach Theresa Echtermeyer said. “You have to look at times and spaces in the field when you can create scoring opportunities and I thought we did a really good job of that tonight.”
Still, Mountain Vista dominated most of the game and pressed the action throughout the second half, leaving the Jaguars with scant opportunities to score. The Jags’ best chance came with 25:15 remaining when senior midfielder Grace Rossner got an open look, but her shot from about 25 yards out sailed wide.
Boydstun, the fastest, most nimble player on the pitch, nearly gave the Golden Eagles a first-half lead. With 19 minutes left in the half, she lasered a shot from about 30 yards out that caromed off the left post.
“It was close. I swore it was going in,” she said, holding her fingers inches apart to illustrate how close it was.
Late in the half, the Golden Eagles scored on a gorgeous play, with Boydstun feeding Erickson for a bang-bang goal. The problem was that Erickson was flagged for offsides, and the goal was waved off.
Rock Canyon had another opportunity to score on a free kick with just under 20 minutes left in the half. The Jaguars got two headers on the ball, just in front of the goal, but Mountain Vista keeper Casey Loughran snuffed out the chance.
No. 1 seed Mountain Vista defeated No. 8 seed Pine Creek, 1-0, and No. 5 seed Ralston Valley, 1-0, to gain a chance at another state title.
No. 3 seed Rock Canyon advanced past No. 11 seed Castle View, 2-1, and shut out No. 10 seed Heritage, 3-0, to reach the championship game. The Jaguars (14-1-5) were hunting their first girls soccer state championship, though Rock Canyon has finished as the runner-up three times, including twice in the last three seasons (2023 and 2021).
Annabelle Rakers found a sliver of daylight, received a touch pass from Abby Downey, and chipped in the winning goal to give the No. 1 Flatiron Academy Bison a 2-1 double-overtime victory over No. 7 Buena Vista in the Class 2A championship.
Rakers’ winning goal came in the 108th minute of a tight and tense match.
“This was definitely a mental challenge for us tonight, but we hung in there,” Rakers said.
Rakers, a junior, tied the game, 1-1, with 23:16 left in the second half. She got behind Buena Vista’s defense and lined a shot into the corner of the net.
“Annabelle provided us that spark of energy tonight, and she has improved so much this year,” coach Amy Downey said.
Downey said that the Bisons’ first title was dedicated to all the girls who have played in the program.
“What this means to me is that all of the athletes over the last 11 years that I’ve been coaching, this is for them as well,” she said. “Our program was built by each one of the players who came through here. We only had 11 players on the roster 11 years ago. This is about the work ethic they built over the years, and we got to capitalize on it tonight.”
Buena Vista was the more aggressive team in the first half and took a 1-0 lead on a sweet goal by sophomore Mae Blazer. She dodged two defenders and then left-footed the ball into the net.
Flatirons (16-1-1) not only won its first state soccer title, it also made the Final Four for the first time. The Bison routed the No. 8 Dawson School, 8-0, in the quarterfinals and then edged No. 4 Crested Butte, 3-2, to reach the finals.
Buena Vista (14-4) defeated No. 2 Denver Christian, 4-2, and No. 6 Colorado Springs Christian, 1-0, to earn its first trip to the state championship game. BV was eliminated in the quarterfinals last season.
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