No. 1 Cheyenne Mountain loses in boys’ soccer state playoff to nemesis D’Evelyn
Cheyenne Mountain boys’ soccer only lost to one team this season – unfortunately for the Indians, the second of those losses came in shocking fashion in the second round of the state playoffs.
The top seed in 4A saw its season come to an end Tuesday night when it suffered a 3-2 home loss to 17th-seeded D’Evelyn. Cheyenne Mountain’s season closes with a 14-2-1 record – both losses were at the hands of the Jaguars.
It was fitting that D’Evelyn (12-4-1) was clad in green, because it was certainly Cheyenne Mountain’s kryptonite this season. In addition to this game, the Jaguars defeated the Indians 4-1 on Sept. 13.
“On a scale of 1 to 10, as to how surprised we are that we won this game, I would say a two,” D’Evelyn’s Nico Denton said. “We’re a better team, and we were more physical with them and made them lose their heads.”
The final few minutes saw two goals, and several ejections. Denton scored with 15:30 left to give the Jaguars a 2-1 lead, and with 7:27 left, Cheyenne Mountain’s leading scorer and best offensive threat – senior Luke White – received his second yellow card, and was sent off.
However, the Indians showed heart, scoring while down a man to tie the game. Sam Alvares notched the equalizer with 4:50 to play for Cheyenne Mountain. But it wasn’t enough, as D’Evelyn’s Trey Martinez put the game-winner home with 2:35 left.
“I feel like I let my team down by getting ejected,” White said. “I told the ref that a call he made was ridiculous, and he gave me a yellow. This sucks – and it’s hard to believe I won’t be playing here again. But hats off to D’Evelyn, because they are a very good team.”
After D’Evelyn took the 3-2 lead, things got out of hand. The referees started passing out red cards like belated Halloween candy, resulting in both Sam Kilimann and Noah Grage being sent off. The Indians played the final 1:23 down three men.
Cheyenne Mountain coach Tomas Martinez was incensed after the game.
“I’ve never seen three kids kicked out of one game in my life, and to be honest, with the officiating we’ve had all year, it’s surprising that it hasn’t been more,” Martinez said. “The officiating has been terrible all year, and the bad part about it is that it affects the kids.”
Martinez, who was convinced D’Evelyn’s first goal of the night should’ve been waved off due to it being offside, also gave plenty of praise to the Jaguars.
“We lost, and D’Evelyn came to play, and I’ll own that,” he said. “Paul Moline is an amazing coach, and he has a great group of kids who clawed and scratched and found a way.”
Trey Martinez offered a simple explanation as to why his team was able to topple No. 1.
“They were the No. 1 seed, and were expecting to win, and lost their heads,” he said. “We just came out and worked harder than them.”
Cheyenne Mountain senior Matt Depeppe struggled to find the words to describe the loss.
“We would like to play this one again,” an emotional Depeppe said. “But there’s nothing we can do, and it’s over. We won a state title freshman year, and we really wanted another one this year.”
Cheyenne Mountain junior Evan Mcconnell (10) collides with D’Evelyn senior Mario Gori (14). The Indians lost to the Jaguars 3-2 in the second round of the boys’ 4A soccer playoffs on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Cheyenne Mountain High School. Photo by Isaiah J. Downing
D’Evelyn senior Wesley Tedstrom (3) controls the ball ahead of Cheyenne Mountain senior Josh Thiele (12) and sophomore Jack Briggs (15). The Indians lost to the Jaguars 3-2 in the second round of the boys’ 4A soccer playoffs on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Cheyenne Mountain High School. Photo by Isaiah J. Downing
D’Evelyn senior Trey Martinez (4) celebrates his game winning goal with senior Bert Li (12) in the second half against the Cheyenne Mountain Indians. The Indians lost to the Jaguars 3-2 in the second round of the boys’ 4A soccer playoffs on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Cheyenne Mountain High School. Photo by Isaiah J. Downing
Cheyenne Mountain senior Luke White (6) reacts on the bench as the game comes to an end. The Indians lost to the Jaguars 3-2 in the second round of the boys’ 4A soccer playoffs on Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at Cheyenne Mountain High School. Photo by Isaiah J. Downing