Eagle Valley High School soccer wins 4A Western slope

For only the second time in Eagle Valley High School history, the Devils boys soccer team are your 4A Western Slope champions after beating Rifle 10-0 on Saturday and finishing their 2026 regular season 12-2-1, 7-2-1 in the Slope. 

“We’re coming for more. We’re not done yet,” Devils captain Marco Rosales said from the field Saturday, after the team celebrated on the field to “Wonderwall” by Oasis.

Rosales and Yael Carrillo helped lead Eagle Valley in goals this season, with Rosales netting 15 and Carrillo scoring 13. They both put over 30 points in the stat book this season. Santiago Torres scored eight goals, third-best on the team. Carrillo also led the team with seven assists, followed by Abel Ruiz and Andrew Saguillan with five. 

The biggest goal of the season might have been Carrillo’s game-winner against Battle Mountain on Sept. 8 in Gypsum, breaking a 1-1 tie with six minutes left in the match against their rival and giving this group of Devils seniors their first win against the Huskies in their high school career. Battle Mountain finished third in the Western Slope this season.

“We all set our goals and our goals were to go undefeated, win league and win a playoff game. But clearly we didn’t meet that expectation, but we set that goal to win league, and we came out with it,” said Carrillo, who scored four goals on Saturday.

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Alfonso Gallegos is also a critical part of the Devils team this season, finishing third in points. And freshman Daniel Najera is a pleasant addition to the team. The corner-kick specialist had some big moments this season, including scoring the equalizer against Battle Mountain while trailing 1-0 in Gypsum. The Devils ended up tying the Huskies in their second match. Javier Aguayo has played ferocious defense all season long, saving goals and changing possession for the Devils.

“It’s a hard-working, smart team,” Eagle Valley coach Bratzo Horruitiner said, assisted by Leonardo Rosales this season who he says is “running the show.” “And they play good futbol — we want to play good futbol. We want to entertain.”

Horruitiner had to rush off to get in a team photo, but he acknowledged the impact of his goalkeeper this season, Tiago Horruitiner. 

“Tiago’s my son, but what a great keeper,” said coach Horruitiner, who coached for five years in the 2010s before returning to the team last season. “You need a good keeper.”

Tiago is a disciplined keeper with a big body and strong leg, many times left on an island in the back as his offense dominates possession. He knows when to pull away from the net and helped lead the Devils to their first league title since 2008. While he said he’ll keep his home conversations with his dad and coach “confidential,” he said this team is “family.”

“We executed, and I couldn’t really ask for a better gift for graduation,” the senior keeper said.

Other big games this season include a 2-1 win at home against Glenwood Springs on Sept. 29, thanks to goals by Gallegos and Aaden Gallardo, but the Devils did split with the Demons this season, losing 3-2 on the road. The Devils also split with Steamboat Springs, beating them 4-1 at home but losing 5-0 on the road with a depleted lineup due to illness.

Eagle Valley finishes the season No. 1 in the league and No. 7 in the state, setting them up for playoff soccer in Gypsum — where Devils fans will have an opportunity to fill the stands and give this team the home-field advantage they deserve.

“We’re approaching this with a lot of hope and hard work,” coach Horruitiner said. “And we love it. We’re having fun.”

The state bracket is posted on Oct. 26, with tournament play beginning Oct. 29 — giving the Devils time to celebrate a well-deserved league title, while maybe also setting some new goals of a state title run.

Ross Leonhart is a freelance writer, editor, social media specialist, snowboard instructor, local emcee and more. Follow Leonhart on Instagram @Colorado_Livin_On_the_Hill.