Battle Mountain girls’ soccer falls in Round 2 to Valor
DENVER — Unfortunately, there was no magical comeback Friday.
Battle Mountain girls soccer’s wild ride of a season came to an end in the second round of the 4A state playoffs in a 3-0 loss at Valor Christian on Friday night.
The Eagles struck on two set pieces in the first 13 minutes of the game. The first score was absolutely textbook on a beauty of a corner kick from Rachel Collins to Allie Miller, who headed it straight into the net. Huskies goalie Mindy Vickers, or any other keeper, had no chance.
Another Collins serve from the corner in the 16th created chaos in the box. Valor Christian’s Hannah Hommel got her foot on it for a 2-0 lead.
In the 64th, Valor Christian (10-2-4) pretty much iced it as Cydney Billups raced up the left side and went far panel. Battle Mountain couldn’t muster much offense all evening.
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Valor Christian advances to play Friday night’s winner of Air Academy-Discovery Canyon on Tuesday, and if there is any justice in the world, Eagles fans will have to listen to their webcast.
Friday’s loss takes nothing away from a spectacular season for the Huskies (10-3-4). Battle Mountain overcame two frustrating ties against archrival Steamboat Springs, as well as a loss to Glenwood Springs. The Huskies, however, got the last laugh on the Demons, upsetting them in the Slope semifinals. Battle Mountain earned its first league title since 2008, beating Palisade, 1-0, in the Slope championship game.
The Huskies advanced to the second round of the state tournament with a 3-1 victory over Thomas Jefferson, the team’s first playoff win since 2007.
Sports Editor Chris Freud can be reached at 970-748-2934 or via cfreud@vaildaily.com.
