Indians upended in OT

   No. 3 seed Cheyenne Mountain's inability to capitalize on a number of scoring chances caught up with the defending 4A state champions as the host Indians lost in the girls soccer quarterfinals Wednesday, 1-0 to No. 11 Niwot in overtime.

    Just 2 minutes, 40 seconds into the extra period, Niwot (12-2-4) capitalized on its first corner kick of the game when Lauren Shaner's kick went into the box and was tipped into the net by Lauren Braman, ending the game and the Indians' season.

    "I was just trying to flick the ball to a teammate and it went in the net," Braman said. "It was lucky but we'll definitely take it."

    Cheyenne Mountain (15-3) had its opportunities and outshot the Cougars 10-6.

    "It was the same stuff as the last game," Indians coach Nikki Athey said. "We couldn't score and they had the luck on their side."

    Close games and shutouts are nothing new for Niwot, as the Cougars have given up five goals in their 18 games this season.

    "Defense is where we have most of our success and tonight it was great again," Niwot coach Chad Eisentrager said. "We have confidence that we won't get scored on."

    The game played out as two evenly matched teams waiting for the other to break loose.

    "It was a very evenly matched game," Athey said. "I thought a goal would come for us in the second half when we had the wind, but it just didn't."

    Niwot appeared to score the first goal with 10 minutes left in regulation, but the goal was disallowed by an offside call.

    "I was just hoping that a goal would come at any point," Eisentrager said. "After they said that our goal didn't count we just tried to keep playing well and we finally got one."

    Cheyenne Mountain's best chance at a win came with about 3 minutes left in regulation when Sam Kungli kicked the ball over the goalkeeper's head but only inches above the crossbar.

    "If I knew why we couldn't score I'd be a magician," Athey said. "I am disappointed in the result, but not in the girls."

    Cheyenne Mountain' graduates four seniors, leaving the nucleus for another strong team next year.

    "We are a young team and the kids that return next year will hopefully remember how this feels and be motivated by it," Athey said.