Ralston Valley boys lax knocks off 3-time defending league champ

ARVADA — To be the champs you normally have to beat the champs.

Ralston Valley’s boys lacrosse team did just that Friday night at the North Area Athletic Complex. The Mustangs took a 9-5 victory over the 3-time defending Class 5A League #2 champions — Poudre School District.

“It’s huge. It was awesome to be out here with the guys,” Ralston Valley senior goalie Chad Fifer said. “This is a team (Poudre SD) we’ve been close against the past three years. This is huge for us. This is exciting.”

The Stars (3-6, 1-1 in league) had played a tough non-league schedule. Poudre SD coach Will Cantwell — Lakewood High School graduate and former Golden lacrosse player — has guided the Stars to a 22-2 conference record since the team merged the Fort Collins high schools into one boys lacrosse program in 2022. 

“It defintely feels good,” Ralston Valley coach Steve Annest said of the first victory for the Mustangs over Poudre SD. “I don’t know if it is a benchmark win. We do have a number of seniors who were freshmen since I’ve been the head coach and they have never beat Poudre.” 

Fifer was solid in net allowing just two goals in the first half as the Mustangs (7-1, 2-0) got out to a 7-2 halftime lead. It was the third start of the season in net for Fifer. 

“We have three wonderful goalies in the program,” Annest said. “Chad got the start. He got hot. He was able to control the clear and made some timely saves. We were really proud of him.”

Seniors Collin McLaughlin, Drew Gates, along with junior Colby Kurtz carried the Mustangs offensively. The trio accounted for all of Ralston Valley’s goals with all three scoring a hat-trick.

“Our hope is the share the ball, move it and take the best opportunity,” Annest said of McLaughlin, Gates and Kurtz combining for 65 goals so far this season. “Also, to value the assist as much as the goal. I think we are buying into it.”

It was the fifth straight victory for Ralston Valley since coming back from Spring Break. The only blemish on the Mustangs’ record this season was an overtime loss to Denver East on March 14.

“I would want to say ‘Yes’,” Fifer said when asked if he imaged the Mustangs would get out to a 7-1 record to start the season. “We have an amazing team. Amazing guys. The energy with this team is great. I wouldn’t expect anything less than this.”

Ralston Valley still has six conference games remaining. The Mustangs host Mountain Range at 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, back at the NAAC.

“League is full of a lot of teams who can play,” Annest said. “We’ll play one game at a time and hopefully score the next goal.”

The Mustangs are only a handful of victories away from surpassing the program’s record for most wins in a single season. Ralston Valley had 11 wins last season, including a playoff victory. 

“I can’t wait for the future,” Fifer said. “I can’t wait for what is next.”