Standley Lake boys soccer upsets Golden at NAAC

ARVADA — Monday night might have been the biggest victory for Standley Lake’s boys soccer team since it won the Class 4A Jeffco League title during the 2020-21 shortened season during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Standley Lake grabbed a 2-1 victory over league-leading Golden at the North Area Athletic Complex. Junior Drake Terra had both goals for the Gators (4-6-3, 2-2-2 in 4A Jeffco).

“We were all locked in with confidence,” Terra said. “We always believe we can win.”

Terra took advantage of a Golden turnover in the Demons’ end in the first few minutes. Terra slipped a shot on the ground past Golden goalie Garett Kula in the 3rd minute to give Standley Lake the early advance on the Demons (6-5-2, 4-1-1).

“I told the boys before the game that we had to be disciplined and patient,” Standley Lake assistant coach Gustavo Gutierrez said. “(Golden) made a mistake and we told advantage of it. Early goals in soccer makes a big difference. It changes games.”

Terra made it a 2-goal lead in the 52nd minute with his ninth goal of the season.

“It was just a build up play with through balls,” Terra said of his second goal that was just the second shot on goal for Standley Lake. “Adrian (Husidich) our left wing had a nice pass to me. It was just simple communication.”

Golden would made it interesting in the final seconds. Senior Flynn Halsor scored from a tough angle with 18.7 seconds left in the game to make it 2-1. Golden junior Layton Ward had a long free kick from near midfield in the final seconds, but the ball was headed out of danger in the final seconds.

“You look at our record you might say we are struggling, but I don’t think we are struggling at all,” Gutierrez said. “They have improved and it shows. We got a result today and we’ll take it.”

Standley Lake was No. 47 in the Class 4A boys soccer CHSAA Selection & Seeding Index with only the top 32 qualifying for the postseason. While the win will definitely move the Gators up in the rankings they will likely still have to win the league title to qualify for the postseason.

“There is a little bit of hope,” Gutierrez said. “Golden is a great team and we showed we can compete. I’m proud of the boys. They have overcome a lot and improved.”

The Gators close out the regular season against Dakota Ridge (Oct. 12) and Littleton (Oct. 19). 

Despite the loss, Golden — No. 14 in the seeding index before the loss — still has a good chance of winning the conference title. The Demons face Green Mountain (1-7-4, 0-3-2) on Monday, Oct. 16, before the huge rivalry game against Wheat Ridge (7-2-2, 3-1) on Thursday, Oct. 19, at the NAAC. 

The game between the Demons and Farmers next week will likely play a big role on who wins the league title and grabs the automatic postseason bid.