Goals are important to have — especially in the game of soccer.

In Colorado’s boys soccer scene, however, good defense has been the cornerstone to some of the best starts of the season.

In Class 4A, Silver Creek (5-0) moved up to the top spot of the CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index this week after it kept both its winning and shutout streak alive in a 3-0 result over Monarch on Thursday.

In that win, Ryan Courtney scored twice, giving him three on the season, and goalkeeper Rodrigo Salinas stopped two shots as the Raptors improved their goal differential to 18-0 in 2025.

Get this: SC’s goalie tandem of Brody Bayon (seven saves) and Salinas (two) have faced just nine shots on target so far this fall.

Next Monday, the Raptors will face another defensive stalwart in 5A No. 6 Legacy (5-1), which has allowed just one goal in six games, outscoring teams 9-1. The Lightning beat Boulder on Saturday behind Tyler Stephens’ goal and a fourth straight shutout from keeper Noah Grobaski.

(Peter Hempelmann)

Elsewhere in the state’s biggest classification, Smoky Hill (7-1) has been another of the stingiest teams in the state. And because of it, it is on pace for its first winning season since 2014.

The Buffaloes beat Douglas County 3-0 on Monday, moving their scoreless streak to four matches. They’re now outscoring teams 20-2.

Thursday will be their biggest test yet as they host 5A No. 1 Cherry Creek. The Bruins (7-0), in contrast to Smoky Hill’s defensive dominance, have scored at least three goals in every game this season, including in Friday’s 3-1 win over 4A No. 2 Mullen.

Over the past decade, Cherry Creek has won all 10 meetings over the Buffaloes. Last year, the Bruins scored a season high nine times in a 9-2 victory and later went on to win the 5A title.

Now, let’s take a look at the most interesting game in each classification for this upcoming week.

Class 5A

No. 7 Denver East at No. 2 Northfield; Monday at 6:30 p.m.

Gavin Spellman scored for the second time in three games for the Angels (5-0-2), who remained undefeated following a 2-0 win over Chatfield on Thursday.

Before traveling to Northfield, they’ll head out to face No. 17 Broomfield on Thursday.

Northfield (5-0-1) is also unbeaten. It won 3-0 over Grandview on Wednesday as Evan Holsinger scored in a second straight game for the Nighthawks.

Last year, Northfield beat Denver East 1-0 behind a goal from Calvin Georgeson, who is still looking for his first of 2025.

Class 4A

No. 4 Montrose at No. 17 Durango; Friday at 5 p.m.

The Red Hawks (4-1-2) tied 5A No. 5 Grand Junction in the teams’ second meeting of the year Thursday. It was a far cry from their first meetup on Sept. 6, where GJ beat Montrose 5-1.

Durango (4-4), meanwhile, snapped a three-game skid in a 2-1 win over 4A No. 27 Grand Junction Central on Friday.

The Demons had beaten the Red Hawks eight straight times before last year’s 2-2 draw. Montrose’s last win in the series came in March of 2021.

Class 3A

No. 2 Stargate School at No. 1 Eagle Ridge Academy; Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

The Warriors (4-0), who were 3-11-1 a year ago, are currently atop the CHSAA’s 3A rankings. Currently, they’re outscoring teams 16-3.

On Thursday, they’ll host Stargate School (7-0-1), which can tie its program record for wins in a season with a win. Last week, Stargate played 3A/2A Metro’s long-tenured powerhouses Kent Denver and Colorado Academy. The Eagles beat the Sun Devils and tied the Mustangs.

In 2024, Stargate School snapped a six-game losing streak to ERA, winning 2-0.

Class 2A

No. 10 SkyView Academy at No. 7 Colorado Springs Christian School; Friday at 4 p.m.

CSCS (4-1-1) got two more goals from Judah Rogers on Saturday as the Lions beat Woodland Park 3-1. Rogers has seven goals this season, including five in his past two games.

SkyView’s Moe Estacio had seven points in a 5-0 win over St. Mary’s last week. In it, he contributed on every one of the five goals, scoring twice while assisting on the other three. His 26 points are ninth-most in the state.