Ralston Valley boys soccer kicks around Fairview at NAAC to stay undefeated

ARVADA — Ralston Valley successfully flipped the script this season on two perennial boys soccer powerhouses from Boulder. 

After taking a 4-0 shutout victory against Boulder — Class 5A semifinalist in 2024 — last week, the Mustangs (5-0-1 record) dominated Fairview 5-1on Monday night at the North Area Athletic Complex.

“It was a big talking point for us,” Ralston Valley coach John Doody said of having a good showing against Boulder and Fairview. “I’ve tried to make a really hard schedule — Regis, Arapahoe, Boulder and Fairview — these are the heavyweights. I’m really pleased with how they are playing.”

Boulder and Fairview took non-league wins up in Boulder from Ralston Valley a year ago. Fairview scored in the final seconds to take a 4-3 win last season. 

“Playing here at our place (NAAC) and getting the revenge that I wanted,” Ralston Valley senior goalie Ben Brown said of defeating Boulder and Fairview over the span of five days.

Brown has only given up two goals in six games. The senior goalie actually scored a goal at the buzzer against Regis on Aug. 26 to allow the Mustangs to get a 1-1 tie against the Raiders.

The Mustangs’ offense showed off early against Fairview (2-2). Ralston Valley poured in three goals over the span of six minutes in the first half. Senior Ethan Orchard found the back of the net for the Mustangs in the 14th and 20th minutes. Sophomore Buddy Pouchot scored in between Orchard’s two goals to give Ralston Valley a 3-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes.

“It was two good teams (Boulder and Fairview) in a row,” Orchard said of getting the Boulder-area sweep. “I feel like we did a really good job scoring early and scoring often.”

Senior Cayden Downing tacked on the Mustangs’ fourth goal of the first half to extend the lead to 4-0. Senior Zane Cochran scored Ralston Valley’s final goal in the 71st minute.

The biggest question coming into the season would be how the Mustangs could replace Cooper Hineline, who poured in 22 goals and 11 assists last season before heading off to Clemson University. Part of the answer has been Orchard, who is playing high school soccer for the first time.

“This is my third year at Ralston Valley. I was blessed with two years of Cooper Hineline, who is now getting minutes as a freshman and Clemson,” Doody said. “Now I have Ethan Orchard. To his credit has done everything in the game club-wise since he was 10 or 11 years old.”

Orchard has already committed to play Division I soccer at the University of Denver after he graduates from Ralston Valley.

“The culture is really special here,” Orchard said of playing for Ralston Valley. “We have a really great team that can make a run here. I’m just going to do my best to score some goals and help the team win.”

Orchard has five goals on the season so far.

“Ethan is the maestro. Ethan is the conductor out there,” Doody said talking about Orchard’s style of play. “He is creating a great flow for us and creating opportunities for various different players. We have 10 different goal scorers already.”

The addition of Orchard has helped the Mustangs get out to the best start since 2023 when Ralston Valley had a 17-game undefeated streak before losing in the 5A quarterfinals to Broomfield. 

“It speaks volumes about the value of high school soccer,” Doody said of Orchard playing for Ralston Valley his senior year even after he has committed to play at DU next Fall. “For him coming out and playing for us was a huge gift.”

With the Mustangs sweeping the Panthers and Knights this season is a strong sign that Ralston Valley can be among the 5A elite this Fall.

Ralston Valley have been knocking on the state champion door the past three seasons. The Mustangs advanced to the 5A semifinals in 2022. In the first two season under Doody, Ralston Valley has made it to the 5A quarterfinals in 2023 and 2024. 

“That is of course our goal. We want to get there,” Doody said about getting to the 5A title game. “It’s one game at a time. I’m trying to be patient myself.”