By ARVADA — Golden reminded the rest of the Class 4A boys lacrosse state tournament field on Tuesday, June 15, that the Demons are still the defending state champions.
No. 5-seeded Golden dominated No. 12 Northfield 13-1 in the first playoff game for the Demons since claiming the Class 4A boys lacrosse state title 757 days ago.
“It seems like ages ago. Last playoff game I was a sophomore,” Golden senior Ben Kirschner said. “Now I’m a senior and a captain on the team.”
The Demons pulled off one of the most dramatic come-from-behind boys lacrosse victories in the state championship game back on May 20, 2019 at All-City Stadium in Denver. Golden trailed Cheyenne Mountain 7-2 late in the second quarter, but the Demons rallied for an eventual 10-9 overtime victory.
Golden looked primed for a run at a repeat in 2020, but COVID cancelled the spring season a year ago, preventing the Demons’ chance to win back-to-back state titles.
“It’s been a long strange journey as they say,” Golden coach Mike Thumim said.
Golden looked to be on a mission to get back to that title game again Tuesday night at the NAAC. The Demons jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead four and a half minutes in the first quarter. Seniors Chance MacCagnon and Kirschner both found the back of the net and sophomore Chase Marini added an early goal.
The Demons kept it going in the second quarter. Golden sophomore Locky Rogers scored three straight goals over the span of 5 minutes to open out an 8-0 lead for the Demons.
“It was really nice to see Locky Rogers to breakout today and get that hat-trick,” Thumim said. “I assume Erie was here and that gives them something else to think about.”
No. 4 Erie received a first-round bye in the 12-team state tournament. Erie hosted Golden on Thursday, June 17, at Tiger Stadium. The Demons and Tigers actually met up in the state quarterfinals two years ago with Golden pulling off a 5-4 victory.
“We are getting everyone’s best shot,” Thumim said before the quarterfinal match. “Erie is not going to overlook us like they did in 2019. I’m going to be working my butt off tomorrow to get our boys ready to go.”
Erie (9-3 record) didn’t overlook the Demons (8-4). The Tigers took a 17-5 victory to push Erie into the state semifinals Saturday, June 19, at Englewood High School and eliminate the Demons from the state tournament.
Cheyenne Mountain and Evergreen grabbed victories during the semifinals at Englewood High School. The Indians and Cougars were scheduled to play for the 4A state title Tuesday, June 22, back at Englewood.
Dennis Pleuss is the Sports Information Director for Jeffco Public Schools. For more Jeffco coverage go to CHSAANow.com/Jeffco.
