Back-to-back 1-0 losses in the Class 3A boys’ soccer state title game the past two years is a huge motivating factor for Faith Christian.
“Every night before I go to bed, I think about it,” Faith senior Grant Cowles said. “That is our greatest fear, but our greatest motivator. We aren’t settling for second this year.”
Cowles has been on the field for the Eagles (7-0, 2-0 in 3A Metro League) in Faith’s past two state championship setbacks. He also knows what it feels like to be on top when Faith won the 3A title in 2003.
The Eagles are on pace to reach the pinnacle with an undefeated record through the first month of the season. Faith showed that it’s still the favorite to win the 3A Metro crown with a dominating 4-0 victory Saturday, Sept. 16, at Faith Christian Academy over rival Kent Denver. The Sun Devils (4-1, 0-1) handed the Eagles their lone conference loss on the same field last year.
“We just love to play these guys,” Faith senior Marcus Kirkwood said. “Every time we play these guys it’s a battle. It was an awesome game.”
Cowles, Kirkwood and senior Sterling Copeland provided the offensive scoring punch the Eagles needed.
Cowles tipped in the first goal of the game in the 19th minute on an assist from Copeland. Copeland put a shot into the back of the net on a breakaway in the 37th minute. Kirkwood set up the final goal of the first half after his direct free kick was saved, but Cowles easily put in the rebound with 29.7 seconds left in the first half, giving Faith a 3-0 lead at halftime.
The three “have played together a long time,” Cowles said. “It’s really cool now that we are seniors. We get to take leading roles.”
The second half slowed down when it came to offensive scoring chances. Kent Denver put some good pressure on Faith goalie Matt Zevenbergen in the 55th minute, but the senior stood strong preserving the shutout victory.
Zevenbergen has given up just two goals in Faith’s first seven games. Senior Graham Yantis and Zevenbergen have solidified the goalie position that has been a problem spot in the
“We have confidence in both of our keepers,” Kirkwood said. “Matt is playing out of his mind this year.”
Copeland set up Faith’s lone goal of the second half. After splitting Kent Denver defenders Alex Peter and Efren Bonner, the forward was taken down in the goalie box. Kirkwood buried the penalty kick into the back of the net in the 79th minute to make the final score 4-0.
“I think this is a good test to see where we are at,” Faith coach Will Lind said. “We’ve played better, but to get a win over Kent is big. Tomorrow we could play this game and it could be 4-0 in favor of Kent.”
WHAT’S NEXT
Faith Christian hosts Denver Christian at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, at Faith Christian Academy in Arvada.