LAKEWOOD — The left post was a friend to Silver Creek junior Conner Peskin Thursday, Sept. 8, at Lakewood Memorial Field.
Peskin scored the lone goal with just more than a minute left in the first half in a non-league boys soccer game against Golden. The junior’s shot hit the far post and into the back of the net in the Raptors’ 1-0 victory.
“That’s my second or third goal this season just like that,” Peskin said of the hard shot on the ground toward the far post.
Senior Josh Eher picked up the assist on the goal for Silver Creek (4-1 record). The Raptors could have had a 4-0 or 3-0 lead at halftime if not for a couple of brilliant saves by Golden junior goalie Mats Moreau and a save on the goal line by Golden senior captain Zack Persky.
Silver Creek controlled the majority of possession in the first half and took advantage by getting a handful on scoring opportunities.
“Starting this game we knew this field is nice and wide,” Peskin said. “We figured balls on the ground would be super effective on a field like this with the defense so spread out.”
Golden (2-2) did get better offensive pressure in the second half. The Demons’ best scoring chance came off a corner kick in the 44th minute. A header by freshman Ian Persky was just tipped over the crossbar by Silver Creek goalie Aidan Lantaff.
“Much better second half than first half, but still, not enough to get it done today,” Golden coach Luke Vanderglas said. “We didn’t make enough quality chances. We just couldn’t connect passes and go side to side like we wanted to.”
A direct approach by Zack Persky nearly resulted in the equalizer in the final minute. Golden’s captain raced from his defensive position deep into Silver Creek’s defensive zone with less than a minute to play. The last-ditch effort came up short when he lost control of the ball before getting off a shot. The ball rolled over the end line for a goal kick.
“I love doing that. It’s generally unexpected,” Zack Persky said of his run that started from midfield toward the Raptors’ goal. “When I get a gap I like to take it. I had just too much on that last touch.”
Vanderglas gave a lot of credit to Silver Creek on the Raptors’ defensive effort that resulted on the Demons’ first scoreless game of the season. Golden was averaging three goals per game coming into the non-league match.
Golden is trying to rebound after a 6-9 record last season, which included a 4-5 mark in the Class 4A Jeffco League. A positive the Demons were able to take into this season is the fact Golden forced eventual state champion Evergreen to overtime in the Demons’ season finale last season that ended in a 1-0 loss.
“You’ve got to have a short memory,” Vanderglas said.
The Demons were scheduled for a busy week with three games in five days. Golden will wrap up its packed week against Denver North at 4:15 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at All-City Stadium in Denver.
Golden opens its 4A Jeffco League schedule against Littleton on Sept. 23, at the North Area Athletic Complex in Arvada.
