Two Cougars net hat tricks in win over Riverdale Ridge

Flaunting a 3-1 record through March 29, the Niwot boys soccer team has shown dominance on both sides of the ball. Through four games, the Cougars have outscored opponents 27-4 including back-to-back 10-goal outputs in wins over Berthoud on March 23 and Riverdale Ridge on March 25.

Prior to Niwot's 10-1 win over Riverdale Ridge, the Cougs' nine seniors were honored on the Niwot pitch. Both Ashton Campie and Aidan Martin relished their senior day as they each scored three goals.

"He (Martin) can find the gaps really well and he can body people off the ball really well and he's got good pace," said junior defender Mason Wright. "Ashton also finds gaps really well and he was in the right space at the right time and was able to put it in the back of the net."

Niwot's goal-scoring onslaught began at the 30:05 mark in the first half as the Cougars rattled off six goals in 20 minutes. Junior Azael Marrufo knocked in Niwot's final goal of the run which included scores by Martin, Campie, senior Tavan Karbassi and junior Kaiden Waterman.

Head coach Stephen Dimit was impressed with his squad's selfless play.

"It was good team game," Dimit said. "You can tell these guys like to play for each other. There was a lot of unselfish play out there today, a lot of guys just trying to serve up each other some opportunities which is great to see."

Perhaps no other Cougar was as altruistic as freshman Jett Feiner, who tallied three assists on the afternoon. Feiner now leads the team with six assists on the year.

Dimit gave sophomore Matthew Hansen his first career start at goalkeeper while sophomore Javier Amaya was given a rest day. Hansen saved two shots on goal and allowed just one score late in the second half.

"Matt's been outstanding for us," Dimit said. "He really earned the opportunity to get some time today so we threw it to him and I thought he did a darn good job."

On the defensive side of the ball, the vocal Wright had the right stuff to make Hansen's day stress free. Wright has been a varsity starter at Niwot since his freshman year and continues to impress in 2021.

"He handles all that defensive responsibility but he still gives us that lift going forward," Dimit said. "He's well above the average high school player doing that. Mason's tremendous for us."

In a COVID-19 shortened season, Niwot will have just six more games to make a push for playoffs. Up next for the Cougars will be a road matchup at Thompson Valley on March 30. Niwot will then face another tough challenge on April 1 facing the only other 3-0 team in the 3A/4A Longs Peak League, Northridge.