Austin Colbert/The Aspen Times
Aspen girls lacrosse hosts Valor Christian today in state quarterfinals
The Aspen High School girls lacrosse team will host Valor Christian at 5 p.m. today on the AHS turf in what is unquestioned the biggest game in program history.
The state quarterfinal matchup is a first for the Skiers, who have never been to the round of eight prior to this season, the 10th of the program’s existence.
Seeded No. 4, the undefeated Skiers (16-0) take on the No. 5-seeded Eagles out of Highlands Ranch. Much like Aspen, Valor Christian is in the midst of a breakthrough season, having a program-best 13-3 record.
Aspen beat No. 13 seed Air Academy in the second round on Saturday, winning 11-8. Valor Christian beat No. 12 seed ThunderRidge, 9-8. Both AHS and Valor had a first-round bye.
According to MaxPreps, this will be the first ever matchup between the teams.
The winner will advance to play either No. 1 Colorado Academy or No. 9 Fairview in the state semifinals on Saturday in Denver. The other quarterfinal matchup today is No. 7 Denver East against No. 2 Cherry Creek. That winner will face No. 6 Regis Jesuit in the other semifinal. Regis knocked off No. 3 Pine Creek on Tuesday, winning 18-11.
The state championship game is scheduled for May 22 at the University of Denver.
Aspen girls soccer at Jefferson Academy today in state quarterfinals
The Aspen High School girls soccer team will play at defending Class 3A state champion Jefferson Academy in a 5 p.m. state quarterfinal game today in Denver.
The teams played in the 3A semifinals last spring, top-seeded Jefferson holding off No. 13 Aspen for the 1-0 win. The Jaguars beat Kent Denver in the championship game.
This spring, Aspen (13-2-1) comes in as the No. 6 seed, while Jefferson Academy (15-1-1) is seeded No. 3. AHS rolled over No. 27 Englewood (6-0) and No. 11 SkyView Academy (4-0) to reach the quarterfinals. The Jaguars beat No. 30 Atlas Prep in the first round (10-0) before escaping No. 19 Roaring Fork in overtime, 3-2, on Saturday.
Jefferson Academy’s only loss this season came 1-0 against Kent Denver, the tournament’s No. 2 seed, on April 27.
The Aspen-Jefferson winner will face either Kent or No. 7 Peak to Peak in the semifinals on Saturday in Englewood. The other quarterfinal games are No. 1 Colorado Academy vs. No. 9 Middle Park and No. 21 Vail Mountain vs. No. 13 Prospect Ridge Academy.
The 3A state championship game is scheduled for May 21 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.
Aspen High baseball loses twice at Middle Park in regular-season finale
The Aspen High School baseball team concluded its regular season with a pair of losses at Middle Park.
AHS lost one game, 16-15, and lost the other, 6-1. Middle Park finishes the regular season 12-7 overall. Aspen finishes the regular season 2-20 overall. Teams now await their regional fate.