HS Boys Soccer

Scores & Highlights

James Irwin 5 - Vista Ridge 0 (JV and mixed squad game)

Due to low numbers, varsity players used some of their spare halves to kick off the season right with a great win at Vista Ridge. They are new program and mainly have freshmen, but will be a strong side in 2 to 3 years. Goals came from 5 different players to secure this victory. It was a great way to see what developing talent we have and get the experienced players a few touches on the ball before the varsity season actually starts. Looks like a promising season for the varsity side.

James Irwin 6 – Harrison 1 (1st Round of Fountain Valley Tournament)

If you missed this game, you missed our juniors putting on a scoring clinic. This was a great game to watch and coach. The boys did exactly what we as a coaching staff asked of them. They scored within the first 2 minutes to set the tone. Then the mid-field slowly started to come around to dominate the possession game. Great distribution and through balls couldn’t keep the poor calls from the refs from ruining our day. Off-sides seemed to be their favorite because we were so quick. Juan had his first hat trick of his career for James Irwin and is setting the tone for scoring for the rest of the season. Goals also came from Caleb, Dylan, and Darren. Still trying to decide whose was prettier though. Dylan’s 32 yard laser, or Darren’s slam from a cross. The defense, who were not in their normal line up, still put on a great defensive campaign. They thwarted almost every long ball with header after header clearing it from the zone. Eric as sweeper stepped up big time and ran a stellar defensive line with his three other fullbacks. Salida is next on our list for tomorrow. Hopefully, the boys bring the same intensity and tenacity they did today.

James Irwin 2 – Salida 0 (Second Round in Fountain Valley Tournament)

The boys seem to want to be on a roll. They come out everyday with such poise and intensity. The defense played perfectly. Matt G. hardly saw a single shot the entire game. Juan A. was up to his old tricks at the in the offensive third again. He was able to chip two over a very formidable keeper for Salida to secure our second varsity win. Dave and Darren in middle played just as defensive mid-fielders should, hard-core and with passion. Both assists go to Caleb V. for setting up Juan. We are well on our way with our first shutout of the season. Great job boys.

James Irwin 4 – Mesa Ridge 1 (Final of Fountain Valley Tournament) YES, 1ST PLACE!!!!!!! FIRST TIME EVER!!!!!!!

What can a coach say but “WOW”!!!! These last three days are the best this program has ever played. Not just because the boys took 1st, but the level of play out on the field is a pure joy to watch. It makes coaching so much easier and of course, enjoyable. They have already beat two 4A schools and even beaten a league contender. As far as the game goes, Mesa Ridge had their hands full with Juan A.. He was not only able to score all four goals, but was drawing 2 to 3 defenders at a time to open of space for drops and then shots from the mid-fielders. The defense was again as solid as ever being lead by junior Erik M. as the sweeper. The Mesa Ridge team also seemed to have their hands full with Chris B., a feisty right mid-fielder. My favorite story out of this whole tournament has to be the frustration of the Mesa Ridge captain who threw his captain’s band in anger. The captain’s band spoken of resides on top of the 1st place trophy with the final score written on it, “James Irwin 4 – Mesa Ridge 1”. Their only goal came near the end of the game when a lapse in defensive composure allowing a tripping in the box to happen and then the ensuing PK. Oh, well. AH RUMBA!!!!!

P.S. – Juan A. would like to put a special thanks out to Caleb V. for setting him up numerous times for scoring chances this tournament. Apparently you don’t have to be 6’2” and 200 pounds to put goals away, because these two warriors have proven that statement wrong. Bigger schools are already looking out for this deadly scoring combination up top.

James Irwin 2 – Manitou Springs 1 (1st league win)

The game started out the same way the boys had started in the previous tournament. They had them on their heels right away playing beautiful possession ball and getting great looks on goal. However, nothing seemed to be falling in the net. Manitou really only had 2, maybe 3 looks on goal, but one of their players found a way to chip it over our keeper because of a breakdown in defense. Well, they didn’t let it happen again. Fighting from a goal down early in the game is always tough, but definitely do-able. Enter David G.. A set piece was the perfect opportunity to get us back in the game. With Beckham like precision, Dave found a way to put a 30 yard set piece in a place where the keeper had a hard time handling it. Also, in the second half, Juan pressing into the 18 was apparently fouled in the box with an ankle grab. Enter David G. the finisher again. Dave popped a beautiful PK into the back of the net with no chance at save for the keeper. Dropping Darren back to play double stopper and playing a 4 – 5 – 1 to secure the victory was solid way to end the day. Games like this will make a coach old real quick. Don’t want to have to rely on set pieces and PK’s, but they are apart of the game and Dave gets the gold star for the day.

James Irwin 2 – ECA 0 (September 19th, 2008 at El Pomar field E)

The Jags seemed to dominate the possession game from the get go. Passing and moving of the ball were very fluid, which resulted in several looks on goal early. However, nothing seemed to be falling. Finally, a quick substitution of Mario S. to the forward position changed that. Drawing defenders to the right side of the 18 created space in the middle lane for David G. to hammer one home as soon as Mario slotted it back to him. Great goal. ECA still did not lay down and die. Press after press from their number seven was thwarted by our stubborn defensive line led by junior Erick M. The game was put away though in the last 5 minutes when soph. Brennan T. floated a set piece ball into the goal box for Juan A. to find the side netting for his 10th goal of the season. Matt G., the keeper, recorded his second shutout of the season. One more to go to accomplish his goal of 3. Well done, lads.

James Irwin 3 – Lutheran Parker 2 (overtime) (September 22nd, 2008 at Lutheran Parker)

Things didn’t seem as crisp for the Jags from the get go. The coaching staff believes it was the fact that they were playing on artificial turf for the first time this season and that they only had 30 minutes to warm up getting off the bus. However, Juan A. was able to find the goal early in the first half with an assist from David G. The Lutheran Lions answered back with a bomb from midfield due to lack of marking in the midfield and defense. Second half and Darren L. found Juan A. up top who found his way around the goalie for a quick strike. But again the Lutheran Lions star center midfielder capitalized on the Jags not being able to clear the ball out of the 18 and made us pay with yet again another equalizer. 2 to 2 and off to overtime we go. The Jags dominated both halves of overtime with two balls even going of Lutheran’s goal posts, but still, no dice. After relentless pressing the entire overtime and exhausted from almost 90 minutes of play, David G. found Juan A. on one last ditch effort. Juan received the ball on the run just outside of the 18 as the goalie was coming out. Bad mistake. See Juan has a knack for chipping keepers and that is exactly what happened. When the ball went into the next there was ONE SECOND left on the clock!!!! Do you believe in miracles? Can you believe that sports fans? The only regret was that it was an away game and the fans missed all the drama and excitement. WOW!

James Irwin 0 – Fountain Valley 2 (Sept 23rd at El Pomar field D)

The game was pretty chippie from the get go. Both teams seemed to be at each other’s throats and ankles. Fairly rough play dictated the players attitudes the whole game. Fountain Valley was able to score off a header in first half from a corner and a set piece in the second half. Yes it was a fairly heated game and evenly matched from a spectator’s point of view. However, James Irwin’s inability to mark up on set plays made the difference.

James Irwin 0 – CSCS 7 (Sept 25th at Mountain Lion Stadium)

Umm…no comment.

James Irwin 6 – Dolores Huerta 0 (Sept 30th at El Pomar field E)

The lads made it a concerted effort to not come out flat this game. They wanted revenge from last years 1-0 upset down in Pueblo, where they knew they were the better team, but just couldn’t get the job done. Not this year. Juan A. was able to find the net twice in the first half, along with Darren L.. In the second half Dylan H., Mario S., and yes, Juan A. found the back of the net as well. Juan A. chalked up another hat trick, bringing him to 16 goals total this season. Matt G. was able to mark his third shutout for the season down in the books. Nick J. also received honors from the coaches with playing a perfect stopper position all game long. The feel good story of the day goes to sophomore Jacob B. who stepped in as keeper for the last twenty minutes. A horrible foul was called on the James Irwin defense during a corner and “supposedly” warranted a penalty kick. Seeing his first varsity action ever, Jacob was able to dive to right and tip it over the bar for his only save of the day and preserve the shutout. That is clutch in any coach’s eyes. Well done, lads.

Oct 2nd , 2008 James Irwin vs. Saint Mary’s (Grace Center Stadium)

Oct 4th , 2008 James Irwin vs. Lake County (Lake County H.S. Stadium)

Oct 7th , 2008 James Irwin vs. TCA (at TCA)

Oct 9th , 2008 James Irwin vs. Salida (El Pomar field E)

Oct 14th, 2008 James Irwin vs. CSS (at CSS)

Oct 16th , 2008 James Irwin vs. Nederland (El Pomar field E)