Host Telluride in Last Regular Season Game

RIDGWAY – They work hard in practice and play even harder in games, and when they take to the pitch possess an indomitable poise that is manifest in their matchless record.

In other words, the 2008 Ridgway High School boys’ soccer team rocks. They reigned victorious over regional rivals the Crested Butte Titans in Crested Butte last week, the 2-0 victory cementing their position at the top of the 3A Region 5 rankings and guaranteeing that the team’s golden year will continue into the post season. The Demons will open State Tournament play next week at home.

According to RHS boys’ soccer coach Chuck Siefken, this season’s soccer magic has not been the product of the team’s stellar players alone, but rather the way that those ingredients blend to create a perfectly seasoned product. He said of the team’s accomplishments in 2008, which include a flawless record and a State Tournament berth: “It’s been a group effort. It’s the contributions from everyone that has gotten us to where we are.”

Last Thursday, the team traveled to Crested Butte to face their toughest competition of the season thus far. The Titans, ranked second in the league, were riding high following an eight-game winning streak. Their nearly unspoiled record in conference play had just one rotten spot – their Sept. 9 loss to Ridgway. They were gunning for the win, banking on home field advantage and hoping to finally topple the Demons in order to have a shot at the State Tourney themselves.

They didn’t stand a chance.

In typical fashion, the Demons controlled the Thursday night match, flying to a 2-0 victory with goals from forward Irving Macias and senior team captain Jesse Klein. The win secured Ridgway’s spot in the State Tournament bracket, the schedule of which will be announced next week.

Siefken doesn’t yet know who Ridgway will play or exactly when, only that it will be a home game on either Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon.

No matter who it is, “We’re going to keep doing what we’ve been doing,” he said. “We’ve got to keep our focus.”

See next week’s Ouray County Watch for details. The winner of next week’s game will move onto the quarterfinals.

Fans have one more opportunity to witness the Demons’ sparkle before the State Tournament begins. Ridgway will host the Telluride Miners this Thursday, Oct. 16, at 4 p.m. at the Solar Ranch field.