CSCS upends St. Mary's to win state soccer semifinal

DENVER • For the first time since 2002, Colorado Springs Christian School is headed to the Class 3A state championship game.

Consecutive goals from Austin Seifert, Clay Schuler and Daniel Broas and a penalty kick save by goalie Alex Wood led the Lions to a 3-1 win over St. Mary’s on Saturday at All-City Stadium.

“This team has shown that kind of grit all year,” coach Tim Egeler said. “Not very many times we’ve gone down, but when we have, we’ve always fought back.”

A year ago, CSCS learned that being the No. 1 seed doesn’t guarantee a shot at the title.

But after earning the top seed again, the Lions have played like it during a playoff run that ends Tuesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

CSCS (18-0-1) will play the winner of Saturday’s game between No. 2 Peak to Peak and No. 3 Denver Christian.

For the second consecutive game, the Lions fell behind early. But they answered the Pirates’ goal in the 6th minute with one of their own a minute later as Seifert scored on a rebound.

CSCS grabbed a 2-1 halftime lead when Schuler connected with 29 seconds remaining before the break.

St. Mary’s midfielder Herb Klopfenstein nearly netted the equalizer as time expired in the half, but his header went wide of the net.

After Broas’ goal in the 59th minute, the Lions relied on Wood.

No. 13 St. Mary’s (13-5) received a penalty kick after a questionable call, but Wood dived to his left and knocked away Jack Gendron’s try.

“Usually I react, but this time I kind of read his body first,” Wood said. “They had a ton of momentum. I was like, if they score this, it’s going to be a tough couple minutes.”

CSCS was eliminated in the quarterfinals last season. That painful memory has served as a reminder for this team.

“Last year was a lesson,” Egeler said. “I think it really helped us maintain some focus on what we need to do and not to take anything for granted. It’s a great win for the team.”