Final stretch offers big-time battles in Colorado lacrosse

Sometimes the stretch run is the toughest run of all.

With only three weeks remaining in the prep lacrosse regular season and Mother Nature having wreaked a little havoc recently, it's a safe bet that teams have to be approaching the postseason with some semblance of caution. The playoffs may be in sight, but there is still a long road ahead.

Case in point: the Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch) boys lacrosse team. The Golden Eagles won their first seven games this season and are the only undefeated team left in Class 5A. That streak is about to be tested, though, starting with tonight's matchup against top-ranked Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) at Shea Stadium.

Four of the team's final eight games of the regular season are against teams currently ranked in the CHSAANow.com 5A poll.

So what matchups bear noting from now until the postseason gets underway? Here is a look at a handful of games that could have playoff implications in both the boys and girls fields:

Boys
Class 5A
• Cherry Creek at Mountain Vista, 5 p.m., Tuesday, April 19, Shea Stadium
The Golden Eagles boast one of the state's most potent offenses, with junior Colin Munro and senior Jake Harvey combining for 45 goals and 20 assists. The team averages 13.4 goals a game. Cherry Creek's only loss came to San Diego's Torrey Pines. The Bruins defeated No. 3 Regis Jesuit (Aurora) 6-5 in overtime April 14 behind four goals from junior Asher Nolting.

• Columbine (Littleton) at Monarch (Louisville), 4 p.m., Wednesday, April 20
A top-10 battle pits No. 5 Monarch against No. 8 Columbine. Monarch has been on a tear since falling to Arapahoe in the season opener, with the Coyotes winning eight in a row. Senior Chad Kreuzer has a team-high 35 goals and 23 assists, and senior Andrew Zwiers has added 28 goals and 11 assists. Columbine's one in-state setback came by one goal to Palmer (Colorado Springs), and the Rebels have won close games (three by a combined four goals) and had some routs as well.

• Arapahoe (Centennial) at Mullen (Denver), 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 22
Another contest featuring ranked foes has No. 4 Arapahoe traveling to No. 7 Mullen. The Mustangs' two in-state losses came to No. 2 Mountain Vista and No. 3 Regis Jesuit by a combined six goals. Senior Michael Pryor leads four players in double figures in goals with 22. Arapahoe has outscored its previous five opponents 77-25, and senior Keenan Moffitt leads the Warriors with 30 points.

Class 4A
• Thompson Valley (Loveland) at Dawson School (Lafayette), 4 p.m., Thursday, April 21
Top-ranked Dawson School had won five in a row headed into a matchup with Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch), including victories over No. 2 Windsor and No. 3 Cheyenne Mountain. Four players have scored at least 20 goals, led by sophomore Gavyn Pure's 24 – he also has 26 assists. No. 9 Thompson Valley dropped an 8-4 decision to Windsor, but the Eagles have stayed with the state's best this season. Senior Kale Wilson's 59 points lead the state.

• Golden at Conifer, 7 p.m., Friday, April 22
This Foothills League clash sends undefeated and fourth-ranked Conifer against No. 6 Golden. Junior Mason Meyer leads the Lobos with 17 goals, and junior Chase Phelps has 23 assists. Goalie Ryan Lindsay is allowing only 4.5 goals a game. The Demons' only loss came to Windsor on April 13. Senior JP Simpson has 54 points to his credit with 33 goals and 21 assists.

• Air Academy (US Air Force Academy) at Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs), 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 27
The third-ranked Indians are looking to finish the regular season strong, but their Pikes Peak rival will provide a tough test. Junior Jack Clancy and sophomore August Johnson share the team lead with 25 goals each.
No. 7 Air Academy bounced back from a narrow loss to Valor Christian with big victories against Lewis-Palmer (Monument) and Ponderosa (Parker). Senior Jake Thornally leads the team with 25 goals and 22 assists.

Girls
• Colorado Academy (Denver) at Kent Denver (Englewood), 4:15 p.m., Friday, April 22
Since a hard-fought overtime victory against Mullen, defending state champion Colorado Academy has been on a roll. The Mustangs knocked off Denver East on April 15, and junior Claire Wright and sophomore Lauren Russell each have 19 goals. Kent Denver, which lost to Colorado Academy in the 2015 quarterfinals, boasts a lineup with four players in double figures in goals. Senior Erin O'Shaughnessy leads the team with 24.

ThunderRidge's Logan Derosia.

File photo by Matt Daniels

• ThunderRidge (Highlands Ranch) at Chaparral (Parker), 4:15 p.m., Tuesday, April 26
Fifth-ranked ThunderRidge has maintained its momentum from a quarterfinal run a year ago, as the Grizzlies are undefeated through eight games. Sophomore Logan Derosia and senior Bailey McCue have combined for 49 goals. Continental League rival Chaparral climbed into the rankings this week. The team's two losses came to ranked opponents by a combined five goals, and senior Lexi Davis ranks among the state leaders with 53 points. Sophomore Hannah Mill has 43 points.

• Mullen (Denver) at Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village), 8 p.m., Friday, April 29, Stutler Bowl
One of the best matchups late in the season comes with No. 2 Cherry Creek hosting No. 3 Mullen.
Cherry Creek has dominated opponents this season, averaging 16 goals a game while allowing just more than five. Five players have at least 10 goals, led by junior Eliza Radochonski's 24. The Mustangs took top-ranked Colorado Academy into overtime. Senior Ali Vanek's 61 points are tied for the state lead.

• Ralston Valley (Arvada) at Pine Creek (Colorado Springs), Noon, Saturday, April 30
Ralston Valley's lone setback thus far came by one goal to undefeated ThunderRidge. Senior Marin Felsoci paces a balanced offense with 31 goals and 16 assists. Pine Creek missed the postseason a year ago, but the Eagles have been impressive thus far. A loss to Palmer Ridge (Monument) last week was the team's first of the season.