On a beautiful early fall evening, in front of a crowd of over 300, the Boulder Boys Soccer team claimed a satisfying 3-1 victory over Ralston Valley, avenging last year's overtime heartbreak in the state tournament. The Panthers showed resilience and determination, coming from behind after an early Ralston Valley goal to secure their third straight win this season.

A Battle of Possession

The game began with Ralston Valley striking first. Boulder found themselves down 0-1 early in the first half, but that didn't last long. The Panthers quickly regained their composure, dominating possession 60% to 40% for the remainder of the game. They peppered the Ralston goal with shots, hitting the post twice, and were only kept at bay by an incredible low save by the Mustangs' keeper on a close-range effort from Connor Sims near the end of the first half. Despite controlling play, the Panthers went into halftime trailing 0-1.

Second-Half Comeback

Boulder came out with a high press after the break, and the energy quickly paid off. Early in the second half, Xander Sevian, with some clever footwork and a pass from Zac Sheinbaum, sent a shot that deflected off a Ralston defender and looped over the helpless goalkeeper, knotting the score at 1-1.

The momentum continued to swing in Boulder's favor about 10 minutes later when Connor Sims found space 20 yards out and unleashed a powerful strike into the top corner of the net, giving Boulder a 2-1 lead. As the match grew more physical, several yellow cards were handed out, adding intensity to the already fierce contest.

Relentless Defense

Ralston Valley's offensive strategy relied on long balls over the top, but Boulder's defense stood strong. Having only conceded two goals all season, the backline handled the pressure with confidence, turning away each attempt to break through. As time wound down, Ralston threw everything they had at Boulder, launching corner after corner in a desperate attempt to equalize. Despite their relentless push, the Mustangs couldn't find a way past Boulder's defense.

The Sealing Blow

With just minutes left, Ralston's gamble to press forward left them exposed. Boulder seized the opportunity, and Mikel Mackey made them pay. Picking up the ball on a counterattack, Mackey spotted the Ralston goalkeeper out of position and calmly chipped a 35-yard ball over his head, sealing the win at 3-1.

As the final whistle blew, the Boulder crowd erupted. Students rushed the field, celebrating the victory with the team in a traditional human tunnel, a moment of redemption from last year's loss.

Goal Highlights

Looking Ahead

With the win, Boulder improves to 3-0 on the season and looks poised for a strong run. The Panthers will travel to Centaurus High School next Tuesday for a 6:00 PM kickoff, hoping to continue their perfect start. 

Boulder has shown they're a team on a mission this season, and with a strong performance like this, the Panthers are ready to make their mark.

Check Out Game Photos