GJ boys soccer wins league on way to state

Tigers host Arapahoe in first-round Class 5A state playoffs on Wednesday, Oct. 30

Eli Schultz, Reporter • October 29, 2024

The Grand Junction High School boys soccer team celebrates winning the Southwestern League championship after beating Fruita 2-0 in the season finale on Friday, Oct. 25, at CMU.

The Grand Junction High School boys soccer team claimed the Southwestern League title on the way to qualifying for the state tournament.

The Tigers were placed as the No. 13 seed in the state playoffs with a season record of 11 wins, 2 losses and one tie (11-2-1) and will host No. 20 Arapahoe (8-6-1) from Centennial at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, at Canyon View Park.

According to GJHS Athletic Director Shawn Marsh, junior Luis Mendez is now the GJHS record holder for the most goals in a single season. He has 35 goals so far this season, shattering the previous record holder of 22.

Jonathan Pando, the head coach for the GJHS Soccer team, said that it was exciting to win the league title even after losing 10 seniors from the previous year and competing against tough teams such as Durango and Montrose. The Tigers finished the regular season on a streak of 10 games without a loss.

“This is our second time in four years. It’s a competitive league,” Pando said.

The GJHS Tigers successfully won the Southwestern League title with a 2-0 victory over Fruita Monument at Community Hospital Unity Field at CMU on Friday, Oct. 25.

Pando said it’s difficult to prepare against a team like Arapahoe due to GJHS rarely playing the team. The Tiger’s plan is to watch film and adjust positions when needed in the game.

There are 32 total teams in the Class 5A playoffs. If Junction wins they will advance to the second round for a match on Nov. 5 on the site of the higher ranked team.

GJHS junior Luis Mendez, right, scored both goals in the win over Fruita Monument to bring his season total to a school-record 35 goals this season.

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About the Contributor

Eli Schultz, Reporter

Eli Schultz is a Junior at GJHS and a reporter for the Orange & Black. He is a wrestler and football player for GJHS. He first joined the Orange & Black his freshmen year.