Under the lights at All City Stadium in Denver, the Boulder High Panthers delivered a decisive 7-0 victory over the Fort Collins Lambkins, advancing in the CHSAA 5A State Championships. On a brisk 40-degree evening, the Panthers looked sharp from the start, eager to make quick work of the Lambkins, especially after their previous quarterfinal game against Horizon took three days to complete due to snow. Fort Collins, coming off a 4-0 upset over Columbine, arrived confident and ready to challenge the undefeated Boulder side, but Boulder quickly set the tone, shutting down any hopes of an upset.

Quick Start Puts Boulder in Charge

In just the 13th minute, Joss Hair broke the ice with a stunning spinning side volley that soared past the Fort Collins keeper, giving Boulder the early lead. Seven minutes later, Hair struck again, nodding in a cross from Xander Sevian to put Boulder up 2-0. The Panthers' crisp passing and smooth transitions were on display from the start, with the team clicking on both sides of the ball.

Midfield and Defense Control the Game

The Panthers' midfield, anchored by Connor Sims—who earned Player of the Game honors—controlled the tempo with composure, feeding the forwards and creating space while keeping Fort Collins contained. Sims' work in the 6 position was the foundation for Boulder's efficient ball movement and provided an extra layer of security for the defense. The backline, consisting of Zac Sheinbaum, Devan Lyons, Santiago Martinez Garcia, and Logan Coughlin, with goalkeeper Aden Heath in net, were focused on maintaining Boulder's nine-game shutout streak. Fort Collins tested Heath only three times, as Boulder's defenders anticipated and shut down any attempt by the Lambkins to break through.

Boulder Extends Lead with Smooth Scoring

Boulder kept up the pressure after Hair's second goal. In the 28th minute, David Bojorquez slotted a low shot past the Fort Collins goalkeeper to make it 3-0. Just before halftime, Connor Sims found himself in the box and connected with a header from close range, putting Boulder comfortably ahead 4-0 going into the break.

Relentless Second Half Push

The second half began with Boulder pressing hard, determined not to give Fort Collins any chance to recover. Only a few minutes into the half, Grant Sims added another goal from inside the six-yard box, extending the lead to 5-0. Bojorquez then scored his second goal of the night, bringing the tally to 6-0. Finally, Sevian, who had already racked up four assists, converted a penalty kick to cap off the scoring spree at 7-0. At the 60-minute mark, Coach Hardy Kalisher began rotating in players, keeping the team fresh and continuing to control play through the closing minutes.

Final Stats

Boulder's teamwork and precision were clear across the score sheet:

On to the Semifinals

With this impressive 7-0 win, the Panthers advance to the semifinals, where they will face #3-ranked Broomfield (15-2-1). This date and time of the semi-finals are not yet confirmed but should be on Wed, November 13th. Boulder and Broomfield previously clashed in a tense regular-season matchup, ending in a 1-1 draw. Boulder heads into the semifinals with momentum, a shutout streak, and a solid defense as they aim to keep their winning run alive.

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