Sevian's Hat Trick Powers Boulder to 3-0 Win Over Fossil Ridge, Panthers Stay Unbeaten
 
On a windless, perfect 67-degree night at Fossil Ridge High School, the Boulder Panthers extended their unbeaten streak to 7-0-1 with a decisive 3-0 win over the Fossil Ridge SaberCats. Senior captain Xander Sevian led the charge with all three goals, keeping the Panthers rolling into their next big matchup against rival Fairview.
 
Fossil Ridge entered the game 1-2-5, a well-organized team stuck on the wrong side of too many draws this season. With CHSAA's no-overtime rule, ties have become more common, but Boulder showed no interest in settling for one on the night. The wide field at Fossil Ridge played to Boulder's strengths, providing the space they needed to switch the point of attack and push forward from the backline.
 
Sevian Strikes Early
 
Boulder wasted no time putting pressure on Fossil Ridge from the opening whistle, with Coach Hardy Kalisher's trademark high press suffocating the SaberCats. After a few close calls, the Panthers struck first. Sevian, named Player of the Game, unleashed a banger from 20 yards out, burying the shot in the top corner to put Boulder up 1-0.
 
Despite dominating the ball, holding about 70% of possession in the first half, Boulder only found the net once before the break. Fossil Ridge managed a few harmless corner kicks and posed little threat as Boulder's defense allowed 0 shots on goal in the half.
 
Relentless Second-Half Pressure

Coach Kalisher knew that giving a team like Fossil any breathing room and a glimmer of hope in coming back from a 0-1 deficit was dangerous. The second half started as the first had, with the relentless press of the Panther side. The SaberCats began to wear down under the pressure and couln't mount any serious threats. Midway through the half, Sevian was taken down in the box, earning a penalty kick. He calmly converted to make it 2-0. Taking down Sevian seemed to be the favorite pastime of the Fossil defenders throughout the match.
 
The Panthers kept pushing, and after a strong run forward and drive into the box by Logan Coughlin, Boulder was awarded another penalty. Sevian stepped up again and completed his hat trick, sealing the win for the Panthers.
 
Late Drama: Bojorquez's Disallowed Goal
 
In the closing minutes of the game, a fourth goal was scored through a heroic individual effort by David Bojorquez, who beat three defenders and drove hard to the near post. With the keeper creeping out and staying low, a high delivery was his only option. Bojorquez deployed one of the most effective—and this writer's personal favorite—tight space shots, the toe doink. The ball blasted off his foot and beat the keeper high, but it was not to be. The official checked with his assistant and concluded that a Boulder player either impaired the goalkeeper's vision or came from an offside position, or both(?), and disallowed the goal. Regardless, the cele, and the goal, were first-rate. The match ended with the Panthers walking off in high spirits.
 
Defense Shines Again
   
Boulder's defense was rock solid once more, recording their fifth shutout of the season and allowing Fossil Ridge 0 shots on goal. With this performance, the Panthers have now scored 34 goals and conceded just 3 through 8 games—a testament to their balance across the pitch.
 
Next Up: Rivalry Showdown Against Fairview
 
The Panthers will now have a week off to prepare for their most anticipated game of the season—a rivalry matchup against Fairview (4-1-3) on Tuesday, October 1, at 7:00 PM at Boulder High School. This one promises to be a battle, and Panther Nation will be out in full force.

Check Out Game Photos