Jonathan Maness
BROOMFIELD - The Holy Family soccer team rolled through the first two rounds of the Class 3A state playoffs this weekend.
The fourth-seeded Tigers beat Liberty Common 4-1 in the opening round on Oct. 26, and then topped No. 13 Peak to Peak 2-1 in the second round on Oct. 27.
Up next is a rematch with Kent Denver Friday in the quarterfinals. The Sun Devils beat Holy Family 2-1 earlier this season.
Junior Nate Dalton gave the Tigers an early advantage against Liberty Common after scoring a pair of goals early in the first half. Zach Burk and Jay Elliott also found the back of the net in the second half to seal the victory.
Patrick Borer and Nick Rhoden each had assists in the win.
Liberty Common’s lone goal came when Mason Campbell found Arjon Gill midway through the first half.
Against Dalton once again gave Holy Family an early advantage against Peak to Peak, taking a pass from Preston Arguello and finding the back of the net in the 13th minute. However, Peak to Peak’s senior Tomas Lopez del Carril evened the game up in the second half when he nailed a shot from the right side.
Rhoden helped Holy Family walk away with the win after nailing a shot in the 57th minute.
Keeper Robert Hanley had eight saves on 10 shots.
In the loss to Kent Denver earlier this season, the Tigers fell behind early after giving up a goal to the Sun Devils in the first half. Arguello scored the lone goal for Holy Family.
The winner of Friday’s game will advance to the semifinals match, which is scheduled for Nov. 7.
Both squads advanced to the semifinals last season before being knocked out. The Tigers fell to Faith Christian, which went on to win the state title. Kent Denver lost to Classical Academy.