By Dennis Pleuss
LAKEWOOD — The North squad had no problem getting revved up early for the 2015 All-State boys soccer game put on by the Colorado High School Soccer Coaches Association on Wednesday night.
The North scored the game’s lone two goals in the opening four minutes on the way to a 2-0 victory against the South at Lakewood Memorial Field. Chatfield graduate Ben Overholt scored in the second minute off an assist from Broomfield senior Porter Milner.
“I knew with Porter (Milner) playing center midfielder his reputation is incredible. I knew if I made the right run he (Milner) would give me the right ball,” Overholt said of the opening goal. “It was perfectly timed and all I had to do was slot it in.”
Porter netted the second goal two minutes later off an assist from Broomfield teammate Tyler Duggan.
“We were thinking after that second goal we would win 10-0 or something,” said Overholt, who will play at the Colorado School of Mines next fall.
The South battled back and dominated the scoring chances late in the first half and for the majority of the second half. However, the goalie tandem of Colorado Academy graduate Noah Henry and Broomfield senior Michael Genge kept the South off the scoreboard with some remarkable saves.
Summit graduate Thomas Debonville nearly pulled the South within a goal late in the first half, but Genge was just able to reach back for the ball as it trickled toward the goal line.
“It was all about having fun today. You try not to put too much pressure on it,” said Henry, who made a handful of diving saves in the second half. “Our defense was fantastic with playing just three in the back. That helped us out a lot up front.”
The two early goals were able to hold up as Genge and Henry were solid in net.
“South had at least eight great shots that could have very well went in,” Overholt said. “They were just unlucky that we had two great keepers.”
Overholt was one of seven players representing the Jeffco League for the victorious North. Broomfield and Colorado Academy each had three representatives.
“It’s incredible,” Overholt said of closing out his prep career on the field he called home for four years. “I’m going to miss this field a ton. I’ve had an incredible experience.”
Henry, who wouldn’t play collegiately, also felt fortunate to end his soccer career in an all-state game.
“It’s huge, especially playing for a small school,” Henry said. “Everyone here is just so great. I made some really cool friendships with some of the guys on my team.”