Basalt faces Machebeuf in quarterfinal match

By Phil Sandoval

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Post Independent Staff

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Other than the color of their uniforms, the Basalt and Machebeuf girls soccer teams appear to be carbon copies of one another.

Looking ahead to this afternoon’s 3A state playoff quarterfinal in Basalt, the Longhorns and Buffaloes both bring long winning streaks and first-round shutout playoff victories into the 4 p.m. contest.

Basalt coach Chris Woods admitted to having little knowledge about Machebeuf, except that they can put the ball in the net.

“We know they have a couple of good strikers,” he said. “And they have some strong firepower.”

Of course, if the game turns into an offensive shootout, the Longhorns can match that firepower shot-for-shot.

Last week’s 10-0 playoff victory over Evangelical Christian raised Basalt’s goals-scored-to-goals-allowed differential to 71-4, according to Rocky Preps.

Additionally, the Longhorns (13-1-0) have won 12 straight games – the last nine by shutout.

Machbeauf (14-2-1), who play in the always strong Denver Metropolitan League, have outscored their opponents 79-9 to date and have recorded three straight shutout victories after a April 29 loss to league opponent Colorado Academy.

The similarities continue when comparing the two team’s individual statistics.

SOCCER: see page 15

SOCCER: from page 14

Both have three players who have scored 10 or more goals this season.

Sophomore Maddie Hoffman lead Basalt in goals scored with 21. Senior Ashley Eaton has netted 15 goals with 15 assists and Ukare Sano, another senior has blistered opponent’s nets for 10 goals.

The Buffs counter with sophomore forward Meredith Hogan, the team leader with 17 goals and 9 assists and juniors Erin Wylie and Savannah Delgato, who’ve scored 11 and 10 goals, respectively.

And, when it comes to defense, both teams have stingy goalies.

Longhorn keeper Autumn Caughern has not allowed a goal in five weeks. Since giving up a score in Basalt’s 4-1 win against Vail Christian, the senior has posted nine shutout wins and is 11-0 on the year.

Her Machebeuf counterpart, Katie Vail, has recorded eight shutouts and has made 80 saves.

“It should be a tough game,” Woods said. “I hope that it’s an offensive game and we get into our rhythm early. They are a Denver team and play in a tough league, so we’re going to give them a lot of respect.””It should be a tough game,” Woods said. “I hope that it’s an offensive game and we get into our rhythm early. They are a Denver team and play in a tough league, so we’re going to give them a lot of respect.”