Evergreen delays No. 9 Golden’s shot to clinch 4A Jeffco title

ARVADA — The 2021 Class 4A Jeffco League boys soccer championship plaque will have to wait until later this week to find a home.

No. 9-ranked Golden had a chance Monday night at the North Area Athletic Complex to clinch the conference title with a win against Evergreen. However, the Cougars put a halt to any celebration handing the Demons their first conference blemish with a 1-1 double-overtime tie. It also ended a 6-game winning streak for Golden.

“Before the game we talked about ruining their night,” Evergreen senior Landon Freeman said. “I think we did that.”

Several players fell to the ground after the final horn sounded after the second overtime period the concluded the league match to start the final week of the regular season.

“Evergreen always shows up when they play Golden,” said Golden coach Larry Harding after the hard-fought 100 minutes of soccer. “I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I sensed it. That is the way it has always been with Evergreen. They came prepared.”

Evergreen (6-6-2, 4-2-1 in league) got on the board first with a volleyed kick into the back of the net by junior Andrew Weiland in the 25th minute. Golden (9-2-3, 6-0-1) answered late in the first half tying the game up at 1-1 with a direct free kick by senior Zane Walsh that found the back of the net.

While both the Cougars and Demons had scoring opportunities in the second half and two 10-minute overtime periods, Evergreen goalie Ian Wormer and Golden keeper Alex Cunningham didn’t allow a goal after halftime.

Freeman and senior Finn Stewart had Evergreen’s best chance to regain the lead in the 55th minute. An initial shot by Freeman was saved by Cunningham, but the rebound came right to Steward who’s shot in the post and was grabbed by Cunningham at the goal-line.

“We came in to beat Golden,” said Freeman, who is currently the points leader in 4A Jeffco with 9 goals and 6 assists. “The boys have been playing well lately. It is always fun to beat Golden. We wanted to ruin their season. That was the mentality.”

While the Cougars might not have ruined the Demons season, they did force Golden to get a win or tie against Wheat Ridge (6-6-2, 4-3) coming up on Thursday night at NAAC. 

“It wasn’t meant to be,” Harding said. “It’s our first tie in league and we’ll take it from here.”

The Demons controlled possession in the overtime, but couldn’t finish their chances.

“There were times where we passed it when we should have shot,” Harding said. “Then there were times we shot from 40 yards out and we should have passed it.”

Golden did clinch a playoff berth with the tie. The top two finishers in 4A Jeffco earn an automatic bid to the 32-team state tournament that begins next week. D’Evelyn (9-5, 6-1) will be the other automatic qualifier and is the only team that could pass up Golden for the conference title.

Evergreen was sitting 44th in the RPI standings before the tie against Golden.

“We are hoping for a little bit of help from other teams,” Freeman said of Evergreen’s playoff chances. “I think if we get a little help maybe we can push through with a win against Conifer.”

The Cougars finish their regular season against rival Conifer at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, at Conifer High School.