The Spartan Soccer Squad gains the well-deserved title of League Champions after defeating West 3-1, and Kennedy, 2-1.
TJ Handles Lincoln to become League Champs. Photos by Maddi Doro
After two unforgettable games on October 14th and October 17th, the boys’ soccer team earned the title of League Champs and are now getting ready for playoffs.
On Friday, the boys defeated the West Cowboys, ending with a final score of 3-1. “We went out onto the field with purpose,” said Junior Michael Mahoney. “We put them away in the first half.” Juniors Mohamed Huessin, Tyler Moehlman, and Freshman Edward Yepes score the three goals of the game.
Then, on Monday the 14th, the boys battled the Kennedy Commanders, looking to win the title of league champs. The first half of the game went completely scoreless, each team fighting for the ball. With 21 minutes left in the second half, the Commanders shot the ball, and it was deflected into the back of the net. “That goal was just bad luck for us but good luck for them because it wasn’t even a good play,” Head Coach Jon Poole recalls. “They only had one scoring opportunity in the second half, while we had seven.”
The Spartans were heartbroken, but kept their heads up to try to get on the scoreboard. “We dug in after they scored,” said Mahoney. The fans were biting their nails to see what would happen next. Then, with six minutes left in the game, Senior Gabe da Silva scored, tying the game 1-1. The contest then went into an overtime that did not see a goal. With a minute and 30 seconds left into the second overtime, Huessin scored the winning goal with a beautiful assist by Yepes. “With sheer effort, we beat them,” Mahoney said. The night ended with tears of joy; the Spartans had just won their first league title in six years. “I wasn’t nervous, because I knew my boys were going to pull through and get it done,” stated Poole.
The Spartans will play their final game of the season before playoffs on Thursday, October 20th, when they will face the Kent Sundevils, so go cheer them on.
Friday 9/2 Bruce Randolph High School @ TJ 4:00pm (L 6-3)
Tuesday 9/6 @ Aurora West College Prep Academy 4:00pm (W 5-2)
Thursday 9/8 Brighton High School @ TJ 4:00pm (W 3-2)
Monday 9/12 @ Overland High School 3:30pm (L 4-1)
Thursday 9/15 Standley Lake High School @ TJ 4:00pm (L 2-0)
Tuesday 9/20 Denver East High School @ TJ 4:00pm (L 1-0)
Thursday 9/22 Pomona High School @ TJ 4:00pm (L 3-1)
Friday 9/23 @ Abraham Lincoln High School 4:00pm (L 10-3)
Tuesday 9/27 @ Montbello High School 4:00pm (L 4-2)
Tuesday 10/4 @ George Washington High School 4:00pm (T 2-2)
Friday 10/7 Denver South High School @ TJ 4:00 (W 1-0)
Monday 10/10 Denver North High School @ TJ 4:00pm (W 2-1)
Friday 10/14 @ Denver West High School 4:00pm (W 3-1)
Monday 10/17 John F. Kennedy High School @ TJ 5:30pm (W 2-1)
Thursday 10/20 @ Kent Denver High School 4:00pm
