YOUR AD HERE »

Aspen soccer nips Eagle Valley in OT

Chris Freud
Vail, CO Colorado
SPT EVHS SCCR vs. Aspen JM 8-30-12
ALL |

GYPSUM – That was either agonizing or absolutely glorious, depending on one’s perspective.

For Aspen soccer, Colter Robinson’s golden goal in the second overtime Thursday afternoon was a glorious conclusion to a 3-2 victory at Hot Stuff Stadium. For the host Devils, it was a tough pill to swallow after leading the Skiers, 2-1, at the 73-minute mark of the season opener for both teams.

“I was just trying to get a trash goal, a dirty goal,” Robinson said.



Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Aspen had a corner kick in the second overtime, and the Skiers’ Dylan Braswell served it nicely to Robinson. He got his head on it, and the ball went straight to his feet and then it was in the back of the Devils’ net.

“It’s definitely exhilarating,” Robinson said. “You don’t see it coming, so when you get a chance to help, it’s a good feeling.”

Support Local Journalism



Robinson did a lot of helping, assisting on the Skiers’ first two goals, scored by Nile Thompson and Brian DeRosa. And to think that Robinson is in his first year playing varsity soccer for the Skiers after being on the school’s American football team.

“He has an outstanding presence on the field,” Aspen coach Junior Sutherland said. “We’re glad to have him.”

Eagle Valley thought it had this one on two goals from David Ortiz, the first of which was assisted by Noel Ruiz.

“I told them it was the first game,” new Devils coach Bratzo Horruitiner said. “The first 20 minutes, they were nervous, and then they got more aggressive and played some really good soccer. What happened was that we started cramping. I had to sub in some players and we don’t have a deep bench.”

Chalk it up as a learning experience for the Devils, and their opponents know it well. Two years ago, the Skiers played in seven overtime games and had a 1-6 record.

It’s the league opener for both Aspen and Eagle Valley next. The Devils are at Palisade Tuesday, while the Skiers host Grand Valley Thursday.

VMS wins opener

PARACHUTE – And speaking of Grand Valley, the Vail Mountain School seemed to have no problems with the Cardinals.

The Gore Rangers dumped Grand Valley, 4-1, in their season opener down in Parachute. For those of you scoring at home, this was not the 3A Slope game. That’s Sept. 13 at storied Bandoni Alumni Field.

Ben Hymes scored twice, while Garrett Cerna and Ryan Schmidt also found the back of the net.

“The boys looked really good,” VMS coach J.D. Caldwell said. “Our ability to move the ball around was phenomenal and our fitness level proved to be advantageous.”

Goalie William Sterett got the game ball in back-stopping the win.

VMS’ home opener is Thursday against Coal Ridge.

Sports Editor Chris Freud can be reached at 970-748-2934 or cfreud@vaildaily.com.


Support Local Journalism