The AHS boys’ soccer team currently has a 7-4 record and has already faced most of their tough competition for this year. With seasoned captains and second-year varsity coach, Dave Francis, the team is hoping to earn its spot at the State Championships.
“The season has been going really well, but I don’t believe we have reached our peak yet. We have some tough games coming up and they will determine if we go to State,” said AHS team captain Joel Brice. Brice, the top scorer on the team and in the conference, went on to say, “Coalridge will be the hardest team to beat,” before the game on September 30th, where the boys soccer team lost to Vail Mountain School in over time.
“Vail v.s. Aspen was a really tough game, and evryone was hoping Aspen would pull through in the last few minutes,” says United soccer coach Adam Rothberg (and this reporter’s father). “It’s okay though, they played a really fantastic game,” Rothberg went on to say.
Aspen is currently ranked fourth in the state of Colorado in their division. With four games remaining, the team’s record and chances of going to State are better than the last six years.
“I believe that we have a very strong team, and a good enough team to make it to State. We keep progressing, and we keep getting better,”said AHS soccer coach Dave Francis.
Nine of twenty-three players on the roster are seniors looking for their final year’s shot at State.
The next four games in the season will determine if the team goes to State. They will all be hard to win, however the away game at Coalridge will be the biggest challenge, according to goalkeeper Charlie Van Allen.
Aspen lost its last game while away at Roaring Fork 0-4. The final home game will be played against Grand Valley at 4 o’clock pm on Tuesday, October 7th.