Ralston Valley girls soccer controls its own destiny in going after a 3rd straight 5A Jeffco title

ARVADA — Ralston Valley’s girls soccer players put on their hardhats and went to work Thursday night at the North Area Athletic Complex.

The Mustangs had a 2-game scoreless streak heading into a critical Class 5A Jeffco League game against Valor Christian.

“We had to get rid of that,” Ralston Valley junior Lauren Sabus said of the Mustangs taking back-to-back scoreless ties in their previous two matches. “This week we focused on our grit and working as hard as we can.”

Sabus took care of ending the drought scoring goals in the 2nd and 47th minutes to lead Ralston Valley to a huge 2-1 victory over Valor (4-5-1, 2-1-0 in league). The victory put the Mustangs (7-1-2, 2-0-1) atop the conference standings with Columbine (7-0-3, 2-0-1).

“That is what we shoot for every season. To be in control of our own path,” Ralston Valley coach Kamee Morwood said of the league title. “Sometimes it works out and sometimes it doesn’t. If you continue to win you continue to be in charge.”

Columbine edged Lakewood 3-2 on Thursday night at Trailblazer Stadium to keep pace with Ralston Valley, who are attempting to win a third straight league title.

The conference season will wrap up next week. Ralston Valley has home games at NAAC against rival Arvada West (Monday) and Columbine (Thursday). The game Thursday night will likely determine the league champion.

“I think we are ready,” Sabus said of the tough final two league games next week. “I think this little lull that we’ve had to deal with has tested us. Based on tonight, we are worthy of it (league title). It shows that we are meant to be on the top.”

Valor hosts Columbine (Tuesday) and then travels to Lakewood Memorial Field to face Chatfield (Wednesday).

The plus-2 end of the season tournament for the six 5A Jeffco teams will be Monday, April 27, and Thursday, April 30. Those match-up will be determined after league play ends Thursday, April 23.

Sabus scoring twice was a relief that Ralston Valley had its scoring touch back.

“Our goal was even when shots are falling to keep working as hard as you can and eventually those things come,” Coach Morwood said of ending the 2-game scoreless streak. “That was our focus this week. Obviously you need to put goals in the back of the net. I feel like when you do the little things right as hard as you can the goals will come.”

The goal in the opening minutes was a prime example of what Coach Morwood was looking for. Ralston Valley sophomore Josie Gregerson won a 50-50 ball that senior Mia Alfaro corralled and charged toward the net. Alfaro’s centering pass gave both Evilyn Morwood and Sabus a scoring chance. Sabus got a foot on the ball and knocked it past Valor junior goalie Grace Dalhausser.

Valor did tie things up 1-1 with a goal from junior Kate Fletemeyer in the 13th minute. The game remained even at halftime.

Sabus put in the game-winner on an unintended shot in the 47th minute. The junior was a the corner of the goalie box and meant to make a crossing pass toward the far post.

“It was trying to cross it close to the 6-yard (goalie box). I knew Evi (Morwood) would be there,” Sabus said of the game-winning goal. “I hit it more like a shot and it drove straight toward the far post.”

The long shot pretty much froze the Valor defense and the ball ended up splitting a Valor defender and Dalhausser to end up in the far corner of the net.

Valor got some late pressure on Ralston Valley senior goalie Maddie King, but the Mustangs prevented the game-tying goal. Ralston Valley has given up just two goals in 10 games this season.

Broomfield took a 1-0 win over the Mustangs on April 6 and the goal given up against Valor was just the second goal giving up all season.