Battle Mountain soccer takes down Rifle in Edwards

An early goal paired with a late goal proved enough in a gutsy 2-1 Huskies soccer win on Thursday night against Rifle in Edwards. A dominant, controlling second half yielded just one goal for Battle Mountain, with their defensive subs sitting ready in anticipation for the decisive goal that came with just under seven minutes left in the game.

“The thing about this sport is you can’t hit the same heights every single night,” coach David Cope told his team after the game, referencing a book he’s reading about tennis legend Andre Agassi. “And we were so good on Tuesday night, and we were so proud of them, and then tonight we had to grit it out. And those are two ways to win — one with style and flair, and the other with a little grit, and if you have both in your locker room going into the playoffs, you like your chances.”

With the win Thursday night, the Huskies now prepare for Monday’s home showdown with Eagle Valley, with both teams sitting atop the 4A Western Slope standings at 5-2 in league play and Battle Mountain looking to make right the 2-1 loss earlier in the season to Eagle Valley.

“I hope we’re having fun,” Cope said with a laugh himself, talking about the work-like mentality his team has heading into Monday. “The burden of expectations is difficult on our team because of the past. So each group has their own journey and their own experience, and you just hope that they find joy in each day together. And that we can have a few more days together.”

Daniel Salazar intercepted a pass on Thursday and, with no one to pass to, he found the goal himself for an early 1-0 lead nine minutes into the game. Six minutes later, though, Rifle found an equalizer and a 1-1 game that lasted until Carlos Velasquez scored the winner, cleaning up a shot by Antonio Escalara late in the second half. Keeper Steven Herrera held it down in goal for the win.

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“I think we came into a confident second half and we were expecting more goals, but it didn’t work out, so tomorrow we’re going to work on finishing and get ready for Eagle Valley,” Fernando Lucero said after the game, surrounded by the rest of the nine seniors honored on Senior Night.

“It’s just a really nice group of kids,” Cope said of the Class of 2027. “They have really genuine friendships amongst themselves and are just a great group of kids. We’ll really miss this group a lot.”

The ride continues for the Huskies of all classes, though, with much more soccer to be played.

“It’s pretty crazy going from freshman to senior. It went pretty fast,” Sergio Jove said. “I told the boys have fun and enjoy this moment because we’re never going to live this ever again.”

Even if both sides coming into Monday’s matchup say it’s just another game, another team, “I’m coming in with everything I got, exactly how I expect them to come,” Jesus Almeraz said.