Niwot beats Pueblo Centennial 2-1 to advance to the second round of the soccer playoffs

The Niwot High School's soccer team is moving on in this year's 2023 playoffs, making it out of the first round with a win against the Pueblo Centennial High School Bulldogs. Niwot won the game 2-1, with a back-and-forth second half falling in Niwot's favor. Niwot is now in the top 16 teams for Class 4A, where they will take on a strong Skyline High School team.

Niwot's game against Pueblo Centennial started slowly as neither team could find a way to put the ball into the goal. The Cougars held possession for most of the game, especially in the first half where Pueblo Centennial rarely got the ball into Niwot territory.

Niwot plastered the Pueblo Centennial goalie with shots until early in the second half, when Paris Lee hit the back of the net off Jett Feiner's pass to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead. Pueblo Centennial was quick to answer as they took almost no time to march into Niwot territory and score on a rebound from Malachi Gilmore's first save. Niwot was able to bounce back after the mishap, as Bo Gardner was able to seal the game with a late goal off of Josh Ary's pass. Niwot sealed off the game on defense, coming away with a 2-1 victory.

Lee and Gardner were able to net the goals for Niwot while Ary and Feiner were able to get assists. Gilmore played all 80 minutes in net, finishing the game with one save and one goal allowed.

Niwot will take on the Skyline Falcons this Wednesday, Nov. 1, for a chance to make the quarterfinals. Skyline went 15-1 on the year, which included a victory over Niwot earlier, so it will be a tough matchup. They play at Skyline High School at 6:00 p.m.