Ralston Valley boys soccer grabs back-to-back 5A Jeffco League titles

LAKEWOOD — Junior Jake Sweeney was the hero Thursday night at Lakewood Memorial Field.

A corner kick from Ralston Valley senior Aidan Castillo in the final minutes found the head of junior Jake Sweeney, who headed the ball into the back of the net for the lone goal of the night in the Class 5A Jeffco League finale.

“I closed my eyes,” Sweeney said of his first goal of the season. “Next thing I know, I opened them and the ball is in the net. Everyone was cheering.”

The goal in the 76th minute held up as the Mustangs took a 1-0 victory over previously undefeated Columbine. The win gave Ralston Valley (8-3-2, 4-0-1 in league) the 5A Jeffco League title for the second straight year.

It’s the first time Ralston Valley has gone back-to-back with boys soccer league titles since 2016 and 2017.

“We are so proud of the boys,” Ralston Valley coach John Doody said of picking up back-to-back league title in his first two years guiding the Mustangs. “I inherited a great squad last year and had kind of the same magical (regular season) run that Paul (Columbine coach Paul Moline) and his squad had this year. Everything kind of went right. This year, we’ve had so much adversity.”

Doody said the Mustangs have had to battle through injuries, along with replacing its goalie and back four defenders due to graduation. Ralston Valley had a 2-3-1 record through its first six games, losing some close games against tough competition like Arapahoe, Boulder and Fairview.

Columbine (12-1, 4-1) was attempting to run the table in conference play under its second-year coach Paul Moline. The Rebels were trying to win their first conference title since 2004.

“Columbine came out with so much intensity. We were expecting that,” Doody said. “I’m so impressed with Paul and his squad has done. I want to give full credit to how good of a side they are.”

The Rebels looked to have taken the lead in the 23rd minute on a header off a direct free kick, but the play was ruled offside. The game was scoreless until Sweeney converted on the set play.

“There was a lot of set pieces for both sides today,” Doody said. “We had really executed our’s poorly up to the point. I don’t think any of our direct free kicks were even on target.”

Doody actually moved Sweeney from his normal right backer position to center midfield for the game due to injuries.

“Aidan Castillo just has such a cultured right foot. He placed just a beautiful inside swinger,” Doody said of what he saw on the long goal. “Sweeney just rose and buried it.”

Not only was it Sweeney’s first goal of the year, but this is the junior’s first year playing varsity on a team that advanced to the 5A state quarterfinals a year ago and was a state semifinal team in 2022.

“I had a gut feeling that I was going to score the game-winner and help out the team,” Sweeney said.“Throughout this season I’ve felt like I’ve joined a family. I love every single one of them.”

Ralston Valley junior goalie Ben Brown got the shutout victory in net for the Mustangs in their fifth shutout win of the season.

All six 5A Jeffco League teams will play in a mini-tournament next week. Teams will play Monday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Oct. 24, in games that will not count toward the conference standings.

“We are excited,” Doody said of the upcoming mini-tournament. “Paul and I just talked about hopefully we’ll be able to play this one again next week.”

Ralston Valley will host Valor Christian (6-4-3, 2-2-1) at the North Area Athletic Complex on Monday. The Mustangs and Eagles tied in their first meeting last week.

“We are at our peak and at our best,” Sweeney said of the 6-0-1 record over the past month.

Columbine will host Arvada West (4-8-1, 2-3) back at Lakewood Memorial Field with the winner facing the Ralston Valley/Valor winner on Thursday. Chatfield and Lakewood will square off at Lakewood Memorial Field.