Postseason approaching quickly for Colorado boys soccer squads

When Boulder and Broomfield take to the soccer pitch Tuesday evening in Broomfield, the fight-to-the-finish mentality will hit a fever pitch.

The final few weeks of the regular season have arrived, with teams trying to make a push for top seeds – or in some cases, a playoff berth in general. The Front Range League showdown between the Panthers and Eagles is one such example – not only is the game a rematch of the 2014 state championship, but it's also crucial as teams fight to remain in the league chase.

Four teams have identical 4-1 league marks in the Front Range at the moment, and Fairview (Boulder) – at 3-1-1 – just handed Boulder its first loss of the season.

Before the season began, Panthers coach Hardy Kalisher talked about the need to click late in the year.

"They definitely understand there are no guarantees that you'll go to the playoffs, especially coming out of our league," Kalisher said of his seniors. "Once you get there you appreciate every game. You want to peak at the right time of the year."

Here is a look at 10 games to keep an eye on across the three classifications headed into the remainder of October:

Class 5A
Tuesday, Oct. 6: No. 3 Boulder at No. 1 Broomfield, 6 p.m.
This is the matchup that stood out on the schedule before the season began – a rematch of the 2014 5A state championship game, won by Broomfield.

Both teams have one setback this season – the Eagles fell to Mountain Range (Westminster) in overtime on Sept. 17, but have won three in a row since. Senior Porter Milner leads Broomfield with eight goals.

Boulder just sustained its first defeat, dropping a 2-1 OT loss to rival Fairview. Senior Brian Castruita has five goals to lead the Panthers, who have played seven consecutive one-goal games headed into the Broomfield contest.

Thursday, Oct. 8: No. 9 Rocky Mountain (Fort Collins) at No. 5 Fort Collins, 5 p.m.
Another Front Range League showdown pits two more top-10 teams in the Lobos and Lambkins. Fort Collins' only loss this season came in overtime to Monarch – senior Jake Rudel has eight goals.

Rocky Mountain also dropped a game to Monarch, along with Boulder. The Lobos have received four goals each from Trey York Saighman and Matthew McGee.

Tuesday, Oct. 13: Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) at No. 10 Arapahoe (Centennial), 4:30 p.m.
Since a rough start to the season, Arapahoe has reeled off seven consecutive victories and is chasing after the Centennial League crown. Senior Chris Grauberger's seven goals lead the Warriors, who face Overland (Aurora) and Smoky Hill (Aurora) before tackling the Bruins.

Speaking of Cherry Creek, the team is coming off back-to-back losses in an out-of-state tournament. Senior Arman Akbarzadeh leads the team with five goals.

Tuesday, Oct. 20: No. 7 Rampart (Colorado Springs) at Coronado (Colorado Springs), 4 p.m.
It's still early in the Colorado Springs Metro League, with both the Rams and Cougars trying to keep pace.

Coronado won its first seven games of 2015 before losing to Pine Creek (Colorado Springs) 2-1 on Sept. 28. A high-scoring offense has received 15 goals from Angelo Salazar and nine more from Eli Stauffer.

Rampart owns a pair of victories against ranked 4A squads and is a tie with Arapahoe away from an undefeated record thus far. Zack Fleishhacker owns eight goals on the year.

Class 4A
Tuesday, Oct. 13: No. 3 Littleton at No. 1 Evergreen, 6 p.m.
Evergreen has been a 4A power this season, though the schedule isn't doing the Cougars any favor down the stretch. Before tackling Littleton, Evergreen has Standley Lake (Westminster) and Battle Mountain (Edwards) in its way. A balanced lineup has made it tough for opponents to key on one opponent, but the team really gets the job done with defense – the Cougars have allowed only four scores all season.

Littleton's only loss this season came to 5A Rampart. The Lions, who also have to get past Standley Lake before facing Evergreen, are just as balanced – 12 players have scored a goal, and the team has also allowed only four goals.

Tuesday, Oct. 20: No. 7 Air Academy (US Air Force Academy) at No. 5 Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs), 6:30 p.m.
This 4A Pikes Peak League clash – a rematch of the 2013 state title game – might end up deciding the league champion.

Cheyenne Mountain has won its past two games since dropping two of four, and Luke White leads the Indians with 10 goals. Defending champion Air Academy appears to be hitting its stride once again behind the play of seniors Blake Doran (10 goals) and Henry Yocum (nine). The Kadets outscored their previous three opponents 16-2.

Thursday, Oct. 22: No. 10 Steamboat Springs at Battle Mountain, 6 p.m.
The 4A Western Slope League figures to come down to the final days of the regular season, with Battle Mountain, Steamboat Springs, Eagle Valley (Gypsum) and Glenwood Springs each vying for the top spot.

The second run through the league will decide who makes that jump, and this game closes out the season. Battle Mountain handed Steamboat its only league loss this season, but the Huskies also dropped a game to
Eagle Valley. Senior Donnie Leavitt has 10 goals on the season.

Steamboat Springs has won six in a row since the loss to the Huskies. Junior Cruz Archuleta leads the Sailors with 13 goals.

Class 3A
Wednesday, Oct. 7: No. 4 Faith Christian (Arvada) at No. 1 Kent Denver (Englewood), 4 p.m.
Kent Denver regained its top-ranking, but the Sun Devils have three tough league games remaining – starting with Wednesday's tilt with the Eagles. Max Gottesfeld leads Kent Denver with 12 goals and David Felman has eight.

Faith Christian has won four in a row since falling to Colorado Academy. Sophomore Garret Pott has been the go-to target for the Eagles with 16 goals.

Saturday, Oct. 10: Fountain Valley (Colorado Springs) at No. 9 Colorado Academy (Denver), 3:30 p.m.
After consecutive losses to Kent Denver and Vail Mountain, Colorado Academy is reeling just a bit. Tough league battles with Peak to Peak (Lafayette) and Jefferson Academy (Broomfield) remain on the schedule, and the non-league clash with the Danes is equally challenging.

Fountain Valley is the only team to put a blemish on the record of Kent Denver after forging a 1-1 tie back on Sept. 19. The team's only loss was to 4A Pueblo Centennial. Twelve players have scored goals, paced by Galen Kelly's nine.

Wednesday, Oct. 14: No. 5 KIPP Denver Collegiate at Denver Science & Tech Stapleton, 4 p.m.
Even with a loss to top-ranked Kent Denver on Oct. 3, KIPP Denver Collegiate remains a force in the 3A ranks. The Tigers are looking to wrap up the Region 8 title, but still have the Knights in their way.

DSST-Stapleton's only loss came to No. 2 Aurora West College Prep Academy. Seniors Rodrigo Martinez and Fethi Elbeshir each have 10 goals on the season. KIPP's Jhovani Gonzalez owns 17 goals.