Ralston Valley boys soccer wraps up 5A Jeffco League 3-peat with victory over Valor

ARVADA — The current conference run by Ralston Valley’s boys soccer program can officially be classified as a dynasty.

The Mustangs claimed their third consecutive Class 5A Jeffco League title with a 2-0 victory over Valor Christian on Tuesday night at the North Area Athletic Complex.

“We are all excited that we beat Valor and won the Jeffco League,” Ralston Valley senior Cayden Downing said. “I’m glad that we all work together.”

Ralston Valley (11-0-1, 4-0-0 in league) is one of seven 5A soccer programs in the state that don’t have a loss yet this season.

“It’s great. Since (Ralston Valley coach John Doody) got here they have won it every single year,” Ralston Valley senior goalie Ben Brown said of the league title. “The league means everything to us. Being able to do it is a big achievement for this school.”

Doody is in his third year heading the Mustangs’ soccer program. Ralston Valley hold a 37-5-6 record under Doody since he was hired back in February 2023.

The last school to grab three straight 5A Jeffco League titles in boys soccer was Arvada West. The Wildcats actually shared the title with Ralston Valley in 2017 and then went back-to-back in 2018 and 2019.

Next season, Ralston Valley will get a chance at history. Chatfield holds the record for most consecutive Jeffco League boys soccer titles with four from 2005 to 2008. The Mustangs could match that in 2026.

Before looking ahead to history next season, Ralston Valley has plenty ahead of them since year. The Mustangs are on a 10-game winning streak heading into the final weeks of the regular season.

“We definitely want to stay on this hot streak,” said Brown, who has nine shutout wins in net this season. “We want to keep rolling and stay on the gas pedal.”

Before Tuesday night’s action, Ralston Valley was No. 3 in the 5A boys soccer CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index. Valor was No. 34 in the index.

Valor (2-7-3, 1-2-1) didn’t look like a team that started the season with an 0-5-2 record. The Eagles were flying using their speed to get a few chances on Brown in the opening 15 minutes.

“We were a little flat coming out of the gate, but as time went on and after we got that first goal we got the hang of it,” Brown said of the pressure put on by Valor. “The result is all we really cared about.”

Ralston Valley was able to clip Valor’s early momentum in the 17th minute. An initial shot from senior Ethan Orchard was saved by Valor goalie Gio Natale, but Ralston Valley junior Kevin Barker buried the rebound to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.

The Mustangs were able to counter the Eagles’ offensive pressure in the 33rd minute. Downing got a breakaway from nearly midfield and rocketed a shot past Natale for a 2-0 lead at halftime.

“I just have to thank Buddy (Pouchot) for that assist on that through ball he gave to me,” Downing said of his goal. “I’m just glad I didn’t miss.”

Ralston Valley will wrap up league play against Columbine (6-2-4, 0-0-4) on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at NAAC. The Rebels had a scoreless tie against Lakewood (7-3-1, 2-1-1) on Tuesday night at Lakewood Memorial Field.

“We just can’t lose against Columbine,” said Downing, who will have some extra motivation facing off against his cousin — Bryce Langdon — who is a junior playing for the Rebels.

The Mustangs will have two more regular-season games with Jeffco’s plus-2 mini tournament. Ralston Valley will host the No. 3 finisher in 5A Jeffco on Friday, Oct. 17, at NAAC before one more regular-season game Oct. 21. The first round of the 5A state tournament is scheduled for Oct. 29.