First-year Aurora soccer team advances to state quarterfinals
Vanguard Classical East defeated Loveland Classical 3-2 Wednesday, keeping its state tournament bid alive in its inaugural varsity season.
By Emily Brooks ·
The Vanguard Classical East boys soccer team secured a spot in the Class 2A state quarterfinals on Wednesday afternoon. The Hawks defeated No. 9 Loveland Classical Academy 3-2 on their home pitch in Aurora. This result moves the first-year varsity program into Saturday’s next round of the state playoffs.
Coach Irvin Borjas Ruiz’s squad entered the second round with an opening round bye as the No. 8 seed. The team holds a 12-3-1 record for the season. Sophomore Adrian Gonzalez scored two goals, while junior Sebastian Rodriguez added the third for the Hawks. Sophomore goalkeeper Andin Toverlani made 10 saves during the match.
Loveland Classical Academy controlled the first half, but Vanguard Classical East scored the only goal of that period. The Lions tied the game early in the second half after winning 2-0 against No. 24 Grand Valley in the first round. Vanguard Classical East then scored the next two goals to take the lead. The Hawks held that advantage until the final whistle.
The Hawks will face top-seeded Telluride at 11 a.m. Saturday. Telluride advanced by beating No. 16 Campion Academy 6-1 in the second round. The winner of this matchup will advance to the semifinals on Nov. 11 at the North Stadium in Westminster.
Local rival Lotus School For Excellence also advanced in the second round. The seventh-seeded Lotus team defeated No. 10 The Vanguard School 2-0. Both Aurora area teams have now qualified for the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.
