In a rare and extraordinary sequence of events, Boulder High's Panthers claimed a 2-0 victory over the Horizon Hawks in a match split across two days, with the second half delayed by a burst of Colorado snow. The game, suspended with Boulder holding a 1-0 lead, resumed last night at Boulder High, where the Panthers showed discipline and resilience to secure their place in the next round of the playoffs.

A First Half Tilted in Boulder's Favor

Tuesday's first half saw Boulder with the upper hand, though not entirely dominant. They edged out Horizon in terms of possession and attacking intent, pressing forward and testing Horizon's goalkeeper, Joey Stott, who proved a steady force between the pipes. Boulder pushed, probing Horizon's back line, but couldn't find the breakthrough until the latter stages of the half, when Xander Sevian, after being brought down for the second time, earned and calmly converted a penalty, giving Boulder a deserved 1-0 lead.

As the half wore on, however, so did the snow, which quickly made footing and ball control challenging. Conditions clearly began to favor the underdog Horizon, who looked to capitalize on the increasingly unpredictable play. As the officials recognized the deteriorating state of the field, they suggested to Coach Hardy Kalisher and Horizon Coach Brendan Buchanan that play should be halted.  The remainder rescheduled for Thursday evening.

A Tense, Tactical Second Half

When play resumed at 5:30 PM Thursday, Boulder took to the field to defend their lead without the rhythm they had begun to establish two days prior. Both teams appeared cautious in the early stages, with Horizon pushing forward, keenly aware they had only 40 minutes, plus a potential 20 minutes of extra time, to mount a comeback. The Hawks managed to earn a series of corners, but Boulder's defensive line held firm, repelling Horizon's efforts.  Horizon's best chance came 15 minutes into the half when Horizon pushed deep into the Boulder half and forward Alex Ravsten was standing at the top of the 6 yard box staring down Aden Heath. Junior Zac Sheinbaum perfectly timed a hard tackle and denied Ravsten's chance.

As Boulder settled into their possession game, they began to control the tempo and dictate play through the midfield. With Horizon growing desperate, the match's physicality intensified, culminating in a hard foul at midfield that triggered a brief scuffle and a handful of cautions, including two for Boulder players. Ever the tactician, Coach Kalisher quickly replaced the cautioned players to protect them for future matches.

Coughlin's Cool Finish Seals the Win

With the score still at a narrow 1-0, Boulder continued pressing, searching for the decisive second goal. Emmerson Altman found his moment, pushing forward and beating a defender before being taken down in the box, earning the Panthers a penalty. Logan Coughlin stepped up and delivered a composed, left-footed strike, sending the keeper the wrong way and extending Boulder's lead to 2-0. The second goal broke Horizon's resolve, allowing Boulder to see out the final minutes unscathed. 

Grant Sims earned Player of the Game honors for his tireless effort and composure throughout both parts of the contest, and Heath and the Boulder Defense recorded another shutout (13th).

Next Up
Next up for the Panthers is a quarterfinal clash with the #23 seed Fort Collins Lambkins (9-4-3) on Sunday, November 10th, at 6:00 PM at Englewood High School.

Check Out Game Photos