Ten big matchups for September in Colorado boys soccer

Given that the high school boys soccer season is only two weeks old, it's that much more impressive that some players and teams already appear to be in midseason form.

Whether it's Mullen (Denver) getting off to a 4-0 start behind nine goals from senior Cody Brazelton, or The Academy (Westminster) outscoring its first three opponents 31-1, the early numbers are eye-popping in some instances.

Brazelton, after scoring only 11 goals as a junior, erupted for three scores against Vista Ridge (Colorado Springs) and four more against Silver Creek (Longmont). Mesa Ridge (Colorado Springs) junior Tristan Widic went off with seven goals in a 9-0 shutout victory over Grand Junction on Aug. 26.

The Academy's Michael Longtine (nine goals and five assists) and Joel Daniel (seven goals and six assists) have helped the Wildcats jump all over the competition in the early going. Not to be outdone, Pueblo West senior Michael Peters has eight goals through four games, including two hat tricks against Widefield and Pueblo South.

Headed into September, it will be interesting to see if anyone can maintain that pace or if the competition will start to catch up.

With league play set to get underway, here is a look at 10 games to watch for during September:

• Tuesday, Sept. 6: Mountain Vista (Highlands Ranch) (1-1-1) at Cherry Creek (Greenwood Village) (2-0), 4:15 p.m.
A tune-up headed into league play for both teams, the Golden Eagles and Bruins both made impressive runs in the Class 5A postseason last fall.
Mountain Vista made it to the state title game as the No. 28 seed. The Golden Eagles opened 2016 with a tie against Fort Collins and a loss to Boulder before blanking Pine Creek (Colorado Springs).
Cherry Creek fell to Broomfield in the quarterfinals in 2015. The Bruins have won their first two games behind goals from six different players.

• Wednesday, Sept. 7: Colorado Academy (Denver) (1-0) at KIPP Denver Collegiate (1-1-1), 4 p.m.
This 3A non-league tilt features two teams who had strong 2015 campaigns looking for an early jump-start.
The Mustangs opened strong with a 7-0 victory over Denver Christian as five different players scored goals.
KIPP split its first three games, but has the dangerous Jhovani Gonzalez leading the attack. The Tigers defeated Colorado Academy in the regular season last fall.

• Thursday, Sept. 8: The Classical Academy (Colorado Springs) (1-1) at Air Academy (US Air Force Academy) (3-0), 6:30 p.m.
Two powerhouses from the Colorado Springs area meet early, with 2015 4A state runner-up TCA visiting 2014 champion Air Academy.
The Classical Academy rolled past Lewis-Palmer (Monument) in its opener before falling 2-1 in overtime to Cheyenne Mountain, which is off to a 4-0 start. Junior Jake Slater has three goals for the Titans.
The Kadets have jumped out to three quick victories, allowing only one goal. Sophomore Luke Louthan and freshman Thad Dewing have three goals each.

• Tuesday, Sept. 13: Kent Denver (Englewood) (2-0) at Evergreen (1-0), 7 p.m.
The defending 3A champions visit the reigning 4A champs in a non-league contest that should be fun to watch.
The Sun Devils have rolled through their first two games behind five goals from David Felman and three each from Max Mehlman and Rory Buck
The Cougars opened with a 6-0 rout of Palmer (Colorado Springs) behind goals from five players.

• Saturday, Sept. 17: Arapahoe (Centennial) (1-1) at Heritage (Littleton) (0-2), 1 p.m.
Two 5A powers will meet in this non-league contest.
Arapahoe was a state quarterfinalist a year ago and split its first two games of 2016. Senior Danny Trawick leads the team with two goals.
Heritage, which made the semis last fall, dropped its first two games by 1-0 margins to Boulder and defending champion Broomfield. Senior Jack Schulze has played well in net, getting tested by two of the state's top teams.

• Saturday, Sept. 17: Salida (2-0) at Coal Ridge (New Castle) (1-0) 1 p.m.
A rematch from last year's quarterfinals will have Salida looking for some revenge. The Spartans fell 2-1 to Coal Ridge in 2015, but return senior Evan Coit, who already has four goals in two games.
Coal Ridge opened with a 4-2 victory over Sheridan. Junior Josh Fulk had two scores in that contest.

• Tuesday, Sept. 27: Eaglecrest (Centennial) (4-0) at Mullen (4-0), 4:30 p.m.
Two teams off to strong starts are hoping those runs will continue headed into the Centennial League bout.
Eaglecrest won only five games a year ago but is already close to matching that number. The Raptors have been paced by junior Sammy Eskariyat's five goals and three assists.
Mullen had six victories in 2015, but the Mustangs have been hot early thanks to the play of Brazelton.

• Tuesday, Sept. 27: Valor Christian (Highlands Ranch) (1-1) vs. Standley Lake (Westminster) (1-1), 7 p.m., NAAC
The 4A Jeffco League figures to be in for another dogfight this fall, and both the Eagles and Gators are hoping to have their say in the hunt for the league crown.
Valor, which fell in the second round of the playoffs last fall, opened with a loss to Cheyenne Mountain (Colorado Springs) before picking up its first victory on a goal from junior Lee Vanderwalt.
Standley Lake, a semifinalist last season, bounced back from an opening loss to Skyline (Longmont) by shutting out Arvada West. Sophomore Kevin Ruzicka had seven saves.

• Thursday, Sept. 29: Longmont (3-1) at Centaurus (Lafayette) (4-0), 6 p.m.
A 4A Northern League contest pits an up-and-coming program against a squad that was the fifth seed in the playoffs last fall.
An early-season surprise, Centaurus has posted four victories after only six total a year ago. Freshman Christian Nunez has scored five goals and senior Miguel Ramirez has four.
Longmont, which saw its season end in the quarters to eventual champion Evergreen, has sandwiched three victories around a loss to Peak to Peak (Lafayette). Senior Ruben Ordaz already owns seven goals.

• Thursday, Sept. 29: Boulder (2-0) at Fairview (Boulder) (2-0), 6:30 p.m.
The rivalry between the Front Range League foes continues at the end of the month in a rematch of the 2015 quarterfinals.
Fairview bested the Panthers that day on its way to the semifinals, where the No. 1 seed fell to Mountain Vista. The Knights got off to a fast start this season, with six players notching goals in two victories.
Boulder already owns shutout victories over Heritage and Mountain Vista – both of which were in the final four a year ago. Sophomore Djibril Doumbia made a combined three saves in the victories.